Brucellaceae

Brucellaceae is a family of Gram-negative bacteria, named after the British army physician Sir David Bruce. This family is composed of two genera: Brucella and Ochrobactrum.

Taxonomy

The family Brucellaceae belongs to the order Rhizobiales, class Alphaproteobacteria, phylum Proteobacteria, and domain Bacteria. The family consists of two genera: Brucella and Ochrobactrum.

Characteristics

Members of the Brucellaceae family are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacteria. They are facultative anaerobes, meaning they can survive in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments.

Genus Brucella

The genus Brucella consists of several species, including Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, and Brucella canis. These bacteria are known to cause brucellosis, a zoonotic disease that affects various mammals, including humans.

Genus Ochrobactrum

The genus Ochrobactrum is less well-studied than Brucella. However, some species, such as Ochrobactrum anthropi and Ochrobactrum intermedium, have been associated with human infections.

Pathogenicity

Brucellaceae are known for their pathogenicity. Brucella species are the causative agents of brucellosis, a disease that can cause a range of symptoms from fever and fatigue to more serious complications like inflammation of the heart. Ochrobactrum species, while less commonly associated with disease, can cause infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment of infections caused by Brucellaceae typically involves a combination of antibiotics. Prevention strategies include vaccination of livestock and pasteurization of dairy products.

See Also

• Gram-negative bacteria
• Brucellosis
• Zoonotic disease