Brucella cultures typed by the Who Brucellosis Centre at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Melbourne

Results of the typing of Brucella cultures received at the WHO Brucellosis Centre, CSL, Melbourne, from 1968-1976 are presented. The distribution of the biotypes of cultures recovered throughout Australia is shown on a host and State basis and atypical cultures are discussed. Cultures identified from Australia were Br. abortus, biotypes 1, 2 and 4 and Strain 19; Br. suis, biotype 1 and Br. ovis. Br. melitensis biotypes 1, 2 and 3 were recorded only as exotic human infections from the Mediterranean area and from laboratory infections. Br. abortus, biotype 1 was the most common bovine and human isolate and was found in horses, a goat and a sheep. There was a low incidence of Br. abortus, biotype 2 in cattle and it was found in 1 horse. Br. abortus, biotype 3 was not found in Australia but was submitted from Tanzania. Br. abortus, biotype 4 was rare in cattle and was found once in a horse. Br. abortus, Strain 19 was found occasionally in cattle and once from a test guinea pig. Br. suis, biotype 1 was found in both man and pigs in Queensland and New South Wales whereas biotype 3 was isolated only in New Guinea from pigs and cattle. Br. ovis was submitted from 3 States. Br. canis has not been found in Australia.