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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 1998, p. 3217-3222, Vol. 36, No. 11
0095-1137/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Identification of Brucella by Ribosomal-Spacer-Region PCR and Differentiation of Brucella canis from Other Brucella spp. Pathogenic for Humans by Carbohydrate Profiles

Karen F. Fox,1 Alvin Fox,1,* Madan Nagpal,1 Paul Steinberg,1 and Karen Heroux2

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29208,1 and Development and Engineering Center, U.S. Army Chemical Research, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood, Maryland 21010-54232

Received 16 April 1998/Returned for modification 1 July 1998/Accepted 7 August 1998

Molecular and chemical characteristics often provide complementary information in the differentiation of closely related organisms. The genus Brucella consists of a highly conserved group of organisms. Identification of the four species pathogenic in humans (Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, and Brucella canis) is problematic for many clinical laboratories that depend primarily on serology and phenotypic characteristics to differentiate species. PCR amplification of the 16S-23S ribosomal DNA interspace region was evaluated for species-specific polymorphism. B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, and B. canis produced identical PCR interspace profiles. However, these PCR products were unique to brucellae, allowing them to be readily distinguished from other gram-negative bacteria (including Bartonella spp. and Agrobacterium spp.). Carbohydrate profiles differentiated B. canis from the other three Brucella species due to the absence of the rare amino sugar quinovosamine in the three other species. PCR of the rRNA interspace region is useful in identification of the genus Brucella, while carbohydrate profiling is capable of differentiating B. canis from the other Brucella species.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208. Phone: (803) 733-3288. Fax: (803) 733-3192. E-mail: afox{at}med.scarolina.edu.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 1998, p. 3217-3222, Vol. 36, No. 11
0095-1137/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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