Molecular evidence of new variant Brucella in North Pacific common minke whales

Brucella, a causative agent of brucellosis, has been isolated recently from a variety of marine mammals. The molecular analysis of marine mammalian Brucella strains, without manifest pathology of brucellosis in the eastern North Atlantic, showed that they are distinct from terrestrial Brucella species. Previously, we reported abnormal gonads in common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the western North Pacific and suggested the presence of Brucella infection in the whales in pathology and serology studies. In the present study, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Brucella was detected in granular testes of the whales showing caseation or calcification. The insertion of an IS711 transposable element specific for marine mammal isolates as well as a seal isolate-specific DNA fragment were also found. Molecular characterization of Brucella based on sequence analysis of the PCR products amplified from the outer membrane protein (omp) 2 gene showed that the Brucella from North Pacific common minke whales was different from terrestrial and North Atlantic marine mammal Brucella strains. The North Pacific Brucella showed the highest similarity to North Atlantic seal strains among the known Brucella strains.