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Marine Mammal Brucella Reference Strains Are Attenuated in a BALB/c Mouse Model
Ingebjørg H Nymo1, Maykel A Arias2,3, Julián Pardo3
1Arctic Infection Biology, The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, University of Tromsø (UiT)-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Plos One
|March 10, 2016
Summary
Brucellosis can spread from marine mammals to humans. This study shows Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis are attenuated in mice, with B. ceti causing a limited inflammatory response and persisting in organs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Brucellosis is a global zoonotic disease affecting numerous animal species.
- Brucella spp. have been isolated from marine mammals since 1994.
- Pathogenicity of marine mammal Brucella strains (B. pinnipedialis, B. ceti) in animal models remained largely unevaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pathogenicity and host immune response to Brucella pinnipedialis and Brucella ceti in a mouse model.
- To compare the virulence of marine mammal Brucella strains with the control Brucella suis.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were infected with Brucella pinnipedialis 12890, Brucella ceti 12891, or Brucella suis 1330.
- Bacterial loads in blood, spleen, liver, brain, and feces were monitored.
- Serum cytokine levels, spleen weight, and histopathological changes were assessed.
- In vitro and in vivo immune responses (splenocyte stimulation, antibody production) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Both marine mammal Brucella strains exhibited attenuation in BALB/c mice.
- B. ceti showed higher bacterial persistence in blood, spleen, and liver compared to B. pinnipedialis.
- B. suis and B. ceti were isolated from brain and feces during high bacteremia.
- B. ceti induced a limited inflammatory and pathological response compared to B. suis.
- Specific antibody and cellular immune responses were detected against all tested strains.
Conclusions:
- Brucella pinnipedialis and Brucella ceti display an attenuated virulence pattern in BALB/c mice.
- Brucella ceti exhibits unique immunological characteristics, including organ persistence with limited pathology.
- These findings contribute to understanding the host-pathogen interactions of marine mammal Brucella species.
