THE CHARACTERIZATION OF BRUCELLA STRAINS ISOLATED FROM MARINE MAMMALS

Small Gram negative coccobacilli isolated from seals, porpoises, dolph ins and from an otter road casualty were identified as Brucellae by th eir colonial and cell morphology, staining characteristics, biochemica l activity, agglutination by monospecific antisera and susceptibility to lysis by Brucella specific bacteriophage. Their characterisation, i ncluding metabolic profiles, is described. These strains could not be assigned to recognised nomen species of the genus Brucella and it is s uggested that they comprise a new nomen species to be called B. maris (sp. nov., type strain 2/94). It is further suggested the nomen specie s be subdivided into three biovars corresponding to their CO2 requirem ent, metabolic activity on galactose, dominant antigen and animal host . (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.