Authors

Anna Janowicz, Fabrizio De Massisa, Massimo Ancoraa, Cesare Cammàa, Claudio Patavinoa, Antonio Battistib, Karola Priorc, Dag Harmsenc, Holger Scholzd, Katiuscia Zillia, Lorena Sacchinia, Elisabetta Di Giannatalea and Giuliano Garofolo

Abstract [relayed from jcm.asm.org]

The use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) using next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has become a widely accepted method for microbiology laboratories in the application of molecular typing for outbreak tracing and genomic epidemiology. Several studies demonstrated the usefulness of WGS data analysis through single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling from a reference sequence analysis for Brucella melitensis, whereas gene-by-gene comparison through core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) has not been explored so far. The current study developed an allele-based cgMLST method and compared its performance to the genome-wide SNP approach and the traditional MLVA on a defined sample collection. The dataset comprised of 37 epidemiologically linked animal cases of brucellosis as well as 71 isolates with unknown epidemiological status composed of human and animal samples collected in Italy.

Dear colleagues,

Anses has developed a software/web interface (https://leila.anses.fr/) to simplify organisation of Inter-Laboratory Proficiency tests !

This software will facilitate the access to all the information concerning the ILPT (calendar, online registration, documents, reports).

Each laboratory has now to create a Laboratory workspace into the software. You can find a tutorial to create your workspace (https://vimeo.com/ansesleila).

After this creation, you will be ready for the future ILPT.

Hope to see you soon on LEILA!

In case of any further question, please contact us (eurl.brucellosis@anses.fr)

The EURL team organised the first 2018 training session on the 14th and 15th June at ANSES. This 2-day training session focused on control of ELISAs and Rose Bengale (RB) antigens. Eight participants from  Croatia, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain performed a successful control of a serum ELISA kit and two RB antigens. It was a good opportunity to exchange on critical points of reagents controls and share experience on protocols and reagents.

Pet animals occupy nowadays an important position in society. In European Union, the number of dogs is estimated at 61 million. Canine brucellosis is mainly caused by Brucella canis, and sporadically by B. melitensis, B. suis, and B. abortus. B. canis is an important cause of abortions and infertility in dogs, and has been recognized as the cause of significant economic loss in infected kennels. Infected dogs can transmit the disease even after the bacteremia has ceased and without presenting clinical symptoms of the disease. The zoonotic character of canine brucellosis should be considered in view of the complex relationship between dog and human population, and especially close contacts with children.

This disease remains endemic in many regions of the world, with predominance in Central and South America, in Asia and Southern USA. Various cases have been also described in countries from Europe in the last years as Austria, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and UK. Some of these cases were linked with imported animals from Bosnia, Romania, Spain, and Greece.

Brucellosis caused by B. canis is not a mandatory notification disease as B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis. EU regulation on the movement of animals has no dedicated measures for B. canis on live animals and/or semen exchanges. On the other hand, Australia and New Zealand (countries free from B. canis) require a test for the detection of B. canis antibodies with negative results for dogs entering the country and for the use of imported dog semen within the country. These measures are necessary for a disease control program.

Since B. canis isolation may be compromised by intermittent bacteremia, serological methods have a central role in the diagnosis of canine brucellosis. The different types of serological tests for canine brucellosis vary in sensitivity and specificity, leading to false positives and negatives, depending upon the stage of the disease and the antigen or the method used for testing. Unfortunately, none of available serological methods are diagnostically conclusive.

A survey will be launched in 2018 with following objectives:

·         Estimate sero-prevalence of Brucella in European dogs (from a multicentric survey in European kennels with reproductive problems);

·         Standardization of brucellosis diagnosis and decision tree for NRLs in dogs;

·         Potential evolution of regulation/recommendations as regards canine brucellosis (EU/OIE).

For any further information, please contact the EURL team !