Brucella phagotypes : Their relation to the spread of infection in Italy

The spread of Brucella infection in man in Italy during the last three years is briefly reviewed with reference to the Brucella strains collected and typed.The strains were tested by H₂S production, dye-inhibition, agglutination by monospecific sera, and sensitivity to a phage set. From 108 tested strains, 91 have been identified by means of the traditional tests as Br. melitensis, sometimes with some irregularities, 10 as Br. abortus, while 7 were not typable.It was possible to recommend some phage sensitivity patterns of Br. melitensis for epidemiological purposes: one phagotype is much more frequent in the north, another in the south of Italy.However, the currently recommended phagotypes must be considered provisional and will be modified in the light of more extensive studies.Corresponding author.     

湖南省人间布鲁氏菌病流行特征及布鲁氏菌溯源调查

目的 分析2010－2018年湖南省人间布鲁氏菌病（布病）的流行特征,并追溯该地区布病的感染来源,为该地区人间布病防控提供参考。方法 采用Excel 2016和ArcGIS 10.5等软件对湖南省2010－2018年人间布病监测数据进行流行病学分析,采用例数、构成比和率描述疫情特征。采用常规分型方法对临床分离的2株布鲁氏菌的种型进行鉴定,采用UTS-PCR复核种型鉴定结果,并对菌株的6个毒力基因进行检测。采用多位点可变数目串联重复序列分析（MLVA）方法对临床分离布鲁氏菌进行聚类分析。结果 2010－2018年湖南省共报告人间布病728例,年均发病率为0.12/10万,郴州市和永州市发病率居前,发病率分别为2.50/10万和1.90/10万。发病县（市、区）从2010年的5个增加到2018年的69个。45～54岁年龄组病例最多（279例）,占38.32%（279/728）,农民占59.07%（430/728）,男女性别比为2.75 ∶ 1。5－7月报告病例最多,占45.33%（330/728）,发病呈明显的夏秋季高发特征,发病高峰在5月。常规鉴定表明临床分离的2株布鲁氏菌是羊种1型布鲁氏菌,UTS-PCR鉴定显示菌株为羊种布鲁氏菌。6个毒力基因均被检出,菌株为强毒株。MLVA分析表明2株菌与来自内蒙古自治区从绵羊和骆驼分离的菌株具有完全相同的基因型。结论 湖南省人间布病趋于严峻,疫情向非疫区和普通人群蔓延。湖南省分离的2株羊种布鲁氏菌起源于内蒙古地区。应加强动物转运的检疫检测,防止布病暴发流行。     

The degree of protection given by living vaccines against experimental infection with Brucella melitensis in goats

It has been shown by a number of workers that Brucella melitensis Rev. 1 vaccine confers good protection against infection with Br. melitensis in sheep and goats. Although Br. abortus strain 19 vaccine is widely used in some countries to protect sheep, it has not been evaluated for caprine brucellosis. The purpose of the experiment reported in this paper was to determine and compare the degree of protection given by living vaccines prepared from Rev. 1 and strain 19 and by a non-agglutinogenic strain of Br. melitensis against graded, experimental challenge in goats.     

Epidemiological aspects of brucellosis in Jordan

From January 1988 to December 1997, a total of 7842 cases of human brucellosis were registered at the Ministry of Health in Jordan. A link was found to exist between the lambing season and the occurrence of the infection. The number of cases was found to be the lowest in children below 4 years and highest in the 5–14-years age group. Incidence of the infection was calculated per 100,000 population. The lowest incidence of brucellosis was 16.7 and this was detected in the year 1988, whereas the highest was 29.9 and this was observed in 1991. Evidence is provided which indicates that notified cases of human brucellosis in Jordan do not reflect the actual frequency but rather underestimate the extent of the infection.     

2010-2018年成都市人间布病监测结果分析

目的 了解成都市布鲁氏菌病(布病)流行特征,为布病的防控工作提供科学依据。方法 收集成都市2010年1月1日-2018年12月31日布病发病数据和职业人群血清学监测数据,采用SPSS 18.0进行统计分析。结果 2016年成都市诊断首例本地布病病例,截至2018年累计报告69例,其中输入10例,本地感染59例。病例均为接触羊感染,主要感染来源为消费者饮用羊奶14例(23.73%)、羊肉汤馆切割烹饪羊产品10例(16.95%)、家庭切割烹饪羊产品9例(15.25%)、屠宰6例(10.17%)、养殖6例(10.17%)。发病至诊断时间间隔中位数为24.67天,96.88%均由市级及以上医院诊断报告;2010-2018年监测点共采集血清6535份,布病抗体阳新数183例,阳性率2.80%。结论 我市为布病的非流行区,但近年来布病发病数较多,除了传统的养殖、屠宰等职业人群感染发病,普通群众在消费羊肉、羊奶的过程中时有感染发病,在布病防控工作应该重点关注。     

Brucellosis vaccines based on the open reading frames from genomic island 3 of Brucella abortus

Brucella abortus is the etiological agent of brucellosis, a zoonotic disease affecting cattle and humans. This disease has been partially controlled in cattle by immunization with live attenuated B. abortus S19 and RB51 strains. However, use of these vaccine strains has been associated with safety issues in animals and humans. New vaccines have since emerged in the prevention of brucellosis, particularly DNA vaccines, which have shown effectiveness and a good safety profile. Their protection efficacy in mice is associated with the induction of Th1 type and cytotoxic T cell mediated immune response against structural antigens and virulence factors expressed during B. abortus infection. Some antigenic candidate for vaccine design against brucellosis (mainly DNA vaccines) have been obtained from genomic island 3 (GI-3) of B. abortus, which encodes several open reading frames (ORFs) involved in the intracellular survival and virulence of this pathogen. The immunogenicity and protection conferred by these DNA vaccines in a murine model is reviewed in this article, suggesting that some of them could be safe and effective vaccine candidates against to prevent B. abortus infection.     

4例布鲁菌病并发胸腔积液患者的临床特征

目的 分析布鲁菌病并发胸腔积液患者的临床特征,为临床诊治提供参考。方法 分析2013年1月—2020年12月呼伦贝尔市人民医院确诊收治的4例布鲁菌病并发胸腔积液患者的病历资料,采用回顾性方法分析一般资料、流行病学史、临床特征、实验室检查以及疗效情况。结果 4例布鲁菌病并发胸腔积液患者均为男性,年龄最小22岁,最大62岁。所有患者均有发热、乏力,可伴有寒战、多汗、腰痛、背部伴双侧肋部疼痛、咳嗽、咳痰、胸闷、气短、呼吸困难等症状。所有患者血清和胸腔积液虎红平板凝集试验(RBPT)、试管凝集试验(SAT)均为阳性,1例患者血和胸腔积液均培养出布鲁菌。所有患者均出现C反应蛋白和红细胞沉降率增高,结核菌素试验均为阴性或弱阳性。行胸腔穿刺术抽出胸腔积液黄色液体3例,抽出脓性1例,积液均在中等量及以上,均为渗出液。患者给予12周及以上足疗程联合抗菌药物治疗后,近期疗效有效率达100%。结论 布鲁菌病并发胸腔积液发病率较低,当患者出现发热、乏力、多汗以及呼吸系统不适时,临床医生应详细询问患者流行病学接触史,考虑布鲁菌病可能,早诊断、早治疗,可预后良好。     

山东省166例布鲁氏菌病患者资料分析

[目的]了解山东省人间布病疫情的变化趋势及其流行病学特点，为有效控制人间布病疫情提供科学依据。[方法]2005年1～11月，在山东省选取2005年布病新发疫点及老疫点，对布病高危人群及其密切接触者进行调查。[结果]确诊布病患者166例，其中2005年新发病人136例，2001-2004年发病的分别为1例、1例、3例、25例。136例新发病人中，3月发病的37例，31-40岁51例、41-50岁53例，菏泽市116例、德州市23例，因剥羊皮和牲畜养殖过程中感染发病的分别为77例、54例。[结论]山东省人间布病的传染源、传播途径均呈现多样化。     

中国31个省份18岁以下新型冠状病毒本土感染者的流行特征分析

目的描述我国31个省份<18岁新型冠状病毒(新冠病毒)本土感染者的流行特征, 为优化新冠病毒感染疫情防控措施提供参考。方法研究对象为2020年4月29日至2022年5月31日, 中国传染病信息报告管理系统中所有年龄<18岁的新冠病毒本土感染者。对感染者的时间、地区、人群分布、临床严重程度以及确诊病例发病至确诊时间间隔进行分析, 并分析不同流行阶段感染者的流行特征。结果研究期间, 我国共报告63 916例<18岁新冠病毒本土感染者;其中, 确诊病例14 777例(23.12%), 无症状感染者49 139例(76.88%)。月报告感染者数在2022年4月达到高峰, 为40 864例。感染者分布在30个省份的187个地级及以上城市, 其中, 上海市(41 562例)、长春市(5 753例)和吉林市(3 888例)占全国报告总数的80.11%(51 203/63 916)。男性占54.34%;感染者年龄M(Q1, Q3)为10(5, 14)岁, 57.73%的感染者集中在6～15岁;职业分布以学生为主(56.14%)。确诊病例的发病至确诊时间M(Q1, Q3)为1(0, 2...     

14例布鲁氏菌病性胸锁关节炎患者临床特点

目的 总结布鲁氏菌病性胸锁关节炎患者临床症状、影像学表现、实验室检查特点, 为诊断及治疗提供参考。 方法 采用回顾性分析方法收集2013年8月—2023年2月呼伦贝尔市某医院布鲁氏菌科入院患者, 整理分析流行病学特点、首诊情况、临床表现、临床体征、实验室检查、影像学检查、治疗及预后情况。 结果 14例布鲁氏菌病性胸锁关节炎患者, 其中男性11例, 女性3例, 14例均有明确流行病学史。临床表现为关节疼痛(14例)、发热(10例)、乏力(10例)、多汗(6例)、寒战(5例)。临床体征以关节红肿痛(14例)、脾大(4例)、淋巴结肿大(3例)为主。实验检查异常以炎性指标升高为主, 其中C反应蛋白升高14例, 红细胞沉降率升高10例, 另伴有血液系统损伤、肝损伤。14例患者均给予12周及以上足疗程联合抗感染治疗, 其中治愈13例, 手术治疗1例, 有效率100%。 结论 布鲁氏菌病性胸锁关节炎发病率较低, 易出现误诊漏诊, 临床应注意鉴别, 若早发现、早诊断、早治疗, 临床预后较好。     

一起家庭聚集性布鲁氏菌病疫情分析

目的 通过对一起家庭聚集性布鲁氏菌病疫情的调查分析,讨论布鲁氏菌感染人的有效途径,为预防和控制布病疫情的发生提供依据。方法 通过现场流行病学调查、临床检查和实验室检测确定同源暴露人群、实验室确诊病例,并对他们的暴露途径进行比较分析。结果 有无接触史布病感染率比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.005)。有无饮羊奶史布病感染率比较差异没有统计学意义(P＞0.05)。结论 接触感染是主要传播途径,应采取相应控制干预措施。     

Investigating genetic diversity of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis in Italy with MLVA-16

Despite the eradication of brucellosis from most of Europe, the disease remains relatively common in a variety of livestock in southern European countries. It is therefore surprising that with such high prevalence rates, there have been few genetic characterizations of brucellosis outbreaks in this region. We conducted a genetic assessment of 206 isolates of Brucella abortus and B. melitensis from Italy using Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs). We determined genetic diversity and geographic distribution of these Brucella VNTR genotypes from 160 farms in eight regions of Southern Italy in a fine-scale analysis using 16 VNTR loci in a MLVA-16 methodology. In a broad scale analysis, we then used a reduced dataset of 11 VNTR loci (MLVA-11) to compare genotypes from Italy to a global database. In the 84 isolates of B. melitensis, there were 56 genotypes using MLVA-16; 43 of these genotypes were found only once. At a broad scale, 81 of these isolates were part of an Italian sub-group within the West Mediterranean group. One of the two B. melitensis isolates from a human patient shared the same genotype as a livestock isolate, suggesting a possible epidemiological connection. In 122 B. abortus isolates, there were 34 genotypes by MLVA-16; 16 of these genotypes were found only once. At a broad scale with MLVA-11, one genotype was predominant, comprising 77.8% of the isolates and was distributed throughout Southern Italy. These data on the current lineages of Brucella present in Italy should form the basis for epidemiological studies of Brucella throughout the country, while placing these strains in a global context.     

海南省布鲁氏菌病疫情特征研究

目的 分析海南省布鲁氏菌病（布病）流行病学特征。方法 对2012-2017年海南省收集的16株布鲁氏菌采用Vitek 2 compact进行布鲁氏菌初步鉴定,再用传统生物学分型方法进行确证,结合饲养家畜血清学和病原学检测结果分析患者的流行病学特征。结果 Vitek 2 compact鉴定12株为羊种布鲁氏菌,4株为人苍白杆菌。传统生物学分型方法鉴定11株为羊种布鲁氏菌3型,5株为猪种布鲁氏菌3型。菌株对应的16例病例中2012年1例,2013年2例,2014年4例,2015年1例,2016年2例,2017年6例,分布在东方市、临高县、海口市、万宁市、乐东县、定安县等地。同时对疫区东方市745份羊血清进行布鲁氏菌血清抗体检测,阳性47例（6.3%）,从东方市病羊采集的标本中分离到羊种布鲁氏菌3型。结论 Vitek 2 compact是一种简单、方便的布鲁氏菌鉴定方法,但不能替代传统生物学分型方法;海南地区布病主要流行的菌种为羊种3型及猪种3型,通过东方市2017年布病疫情,说明海南省有布病疫畜传染人的疫情,布病防控形势严峻。     

Immune response triggered by Brucella abortus following infection or vaccination

Brucella abortus live vaccines have been used successfully to control bovine brucellosis worldwide for decades. However, due to some limitations of these live vaccines, efforts are being made for the development of new safer and more effective vaccines that could also be used in other susceptible species. In this context, understanding the protective immune responses triggered by B. abortus is critical for the development of new vaccines. Such understandings will enhance our knowledge of the host/pathogen interactions and enable to develop methods to evaluate potential vaccines and innovative treatments for animals or humans. At present, almost all the knowledge regarding B. abortus specific immunological responses comes from studies in mice. Active participation of macrophages, dendritic cells, IFN-γ producing CD4⁺ T-cells and cytotoxic CD8⁺ T-cells are vital to overcome the infection. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of the immune responses triggered by vaccination versus infection by B. abortus, in different hosts.     

Community outbreak of acute respiratory infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae

We present the results of the investigation of an epidemic outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection which affected 95 school-children from certain villages in Catalonia. The investigation took an epidemiological, clinical and microbiological approach, detecting by capture enzyme-immunoassay technique the presence of IgM antibodies against M. pneumoniae. All cases occurred over a 9 week period. The attack rate in children under five was 18% and 8.2% in those from 5–14 years. The age mean and standard deviation of the cases was 5.2 ± 3.5 years, the range being from 9 months to 14 years. Cough was the most common clinical manifestation (87.4%), followed by fever (67.4%), asthenia (21.1%), abdominal pain (18.9%), vomiting (13.7%), earache (8.4%) and sore throat (6.3%). There was no significant difference in the distribution of symptoms according to age groups. IgM anti M. pneumoniae was positive in 36 (37.9%) of the samples analysed. Treatment chosen in most cases (90) was eritromicin and there was a correct evolution in all cases except for two clinical and radiological recurrences. Hospitalization was only necessary in 5 cases. The present findings are important to emphasize the high incidence of M. pneumoniae respiratory disease in children under 5, and suggests that with respiratory processes affecting very young children, a possible Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection should also be considered and the necessary action taken in the form of early and appropriate treatment.     

2013-2017年安徽省人间布鲁氏菌病流行病学及临床特征分析

目的　了解安徽省人间布鲁氏菌病的流行状况以及临床特征,为我省制定人间布病防控措施提供科学依据。方法　对2013-2017年安徽省布病病例的流行特征、临床特征及危险因素暴露情况进行描述性分析。结果　安徽省2013-2017年累计报告394例布病病例,无死亡病例,年发病率分别为0.0301/10万（18例）、0.1260/10万（76例）、0.1249/10万（76例）、0.1270/10万（78 例）、0.2357/10万（146例）。发病高峰期是3-8月,病例年龄分布以45-64岁为主,占总病例数的49.2%;职业以农民为主,占总病例数的66.2%。86.8%的病例曾经与动物密切接触,主要动物是羊;有接触史的病例未采取任何防护措施者占86.2%。临床特征以乏力（86.4%）、多汗（78.9%）、关节肌肉疼痛（78.1%）最为常见（%）,出现脾肿大（11.2%）、淋巴结肿大（10.3%）、肝肿大（7.0%）、睾丸肿大（5.0%）症状的病例较少（%）。结论　安徽省布病发病数逐年增加,波及范围逐年扩大,病例以青壮年农民为主。病例主要通过与羊密切接触而感染,感染方式呈现出多元化的特点。建议加强多部门联防联控,提高群众的自我防护意识。     

Immunization with viable Brucella organisms: Results of a safety test in humans

In many parts of the world contact with infected livestock may involve a serious risk of the spread of human brucellosis. Partial control of bovine brucellosis has been achieved by slaughter of infected herds and immunization of cattle with Brucella abortus strain 19 living vaccine. However, in areas where such measures are unpractical there remains a need for protection of humans. This study compares the safety of two living Brucella vaccine preparations in human volunteers.     

白银市人间布鲁氏菌病流行特征分析

目的 分析甘肃省白银市人间布鲁氏菌病流行特征,为制定布鲁氏菌病的预防控制措施提供基础数据。方法 对白银市2013 - 2017年布鲁氏菌病疫情资料进行描述性流行病学分析。结果 2013 - 2017年全市共发生布病1 823例,无死亡病例,年均发病率为21.20/10万,疫情总体呈上升趋势,其中2015年发病率最高,为36.51/10万;全年均可发病,但4 - 8月较集中,占病例总数的56.39%;发病主要集中在靖远县、景泰县和平川区,占病例总数的88.81%;性别以男性为主,占76.36%,男性发病率（31.40/10万）明显高于女性（10.34/10万）;病例集中在50～69岁人群,占病例总数的42.84%;职业以农民为主,占93.47%。结论 近年来白银市人间布鲁氏菌病发病呈上升趋势,以男性、50～69岁、农民为主,疫情控制形势十分严峻。应实施布病的零级预防,从畜间入手及时发现病畜,遏制布病在畜间传播,从源头预防危险因素流行,并针对重点人群开展相应的防控措施,降低布病发病率。     

2014年平顶山市905例布鲁菌氏病病例流行病学 及临床特征分析

摘要:目的　及时了解布氏菌病的流行动态和临床特征,为制定防制措施提供依据。方法　对905例布病病例的流行特征、临床特征及危险因素暴露情况进行描述性分析。结果　905例病例主要集中在鲁山县、叶县、宝丰县,发病高峰期是3-7月,病例年龄以30～60岁居多,占总病例数的60.33%;职业以农民和牧民为主,占总病例数的91.16%。91.49%的病例都有与动物密切接触史,接触的主要动物是羊;有接触史的病例未采取任何防护措施者占93.03%。临床特征以发热、关节肌肉疼痛、乏力、多汗最为常见,出现肝、脾、淋巴结肿大及睾丸肿大的病例较少,各年龄组病例中出现阳性临床特征的构成比差异有统计学意义。905例病例的试管凝集试验滴度范围在1∶100～1∶400之间,随着滴度的增高,出现发热、多汗、关节肌肉疼痛、乏力、脾肿大等症状的比例随之增高。结论　平顶山市布病病例主要通过与羊密切接触而感染,因此要通过开展健康教育活动提高群众的自我防护意识;同时要加强对临床医生布病诊疗知识的培训,重视对流行病学接触史的询问,提高其布病诊断水平。