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Microscopy-based Assays for High-throughput Screening of Host Factors Involved in Brucella Infection of Hela Cells
Published on: August 5, 2016
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Pathogenicity and Its Implications in Taxonomy: The Brucella and Ochrobactrum Case
Edgardo Moreno1, José María Blasco2, Jean Jacques Letesson3
1Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 40101, Costa Rica.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 26, 2022
Summary
Brucella and Ochrobactrum genera should remain separate due to significant differences in pathogenicity and lifestyle. Merging them poses risks to public health and medical professionals dealing with Brucellosis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Taxonomy
- Genomics
Background:
- Brucella are intracellular pathogens, while Ochrobactrum are free-living bacteria.
- Recent proposals suggested merging Ochrobactrum into the Brucella genus based on genomic data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the proposed taxonomic merger of Brucella and Ochrobactrum genera.
- To highlight the critical differences in pathogenicity and lifestyle that argue against this merger.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of Brucella and Ochrobactrum divergences.
- Examination of lifestyle, structure, physiology, pangenomes, and genomic traits.
- Assessment of pathogenicity complexities and taxonomic implications.
Main Results:
- Genomic analyses alone are insufficient to merge the genera, overlooking pathogenicity.
- Significant divergences exist in lifestyle, physiology, and pangenome characteristics.
- The proposed merger ignores the nomen periculosum rule and practical implications for disease management.
Conclusions:
- Brucella and Ochrobactrum genera exhibit crucial differences making them distinct taxonomically and practically.
- Maintaining separate genera is essential for accurate risk assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of brucellosis.
- Canonical nomenclature for both genera must be preserved to avoid public health risks.
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