Brucella melitensis

Brucella melitensis
Phylum	Proteobacteria
Class	Alpha Proteobacteria
Order	Rhizobiales
Family	Brucellaceae
Genus	Brucella
Species	B.melitensis

A photomicrograph of the bacterium Brucella melitensis. (CDC 1976, Wikimedia commons)

Introduction

Brucella melitensis is one of the bacterial organism responsible for Ovine Epididymitis, along with Brucella ovis.

Brucella melitensis however can also infect cattle, unlike Brucella ovis.

It is one of the Brucella genus of bacteria. There are three known biovars.

It is a gram negative coccobacillus that sometimes forms small groups in tissues.

Lifecycle

Brucella melitensis can be transmitted by the stable fly.

Pathogenesis

Severe inflammation of the epididymis particularly the tail cause formation of spermatocoeles and fibrinous adhesions.

Diseases

Ovine Brucellosis AKA Ovine Epididymitis.

Can also cause epididymitis in cattle.

Disease is notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

References

Animal Health & Production Compendium, Brucella melitensis datasheet, accessed 02/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/

Merck Veterinary Manual, Brucellosis in sheep, accessed online 06/06/2011 @ http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/110506.htm&word=brucella%2covis

Literature Search

Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).


Brucella melitensis publications