Molecular characterization of Brucella strains isolated from marine mammals

Recently, gram-negative bacteria isolated from a variety of marine mammals have been identified as Brucella species by conventional phenotypic analysi s. This study found the 16S rRNA gene from one representative isolate was i dentical to the homologous sequences of Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. canis, and B. suis. IS711-based DNA fingerprinting of 23 isolates from mar ine mammals showed all the isolates differed from the classical Brucella sp ecies. In general, fingerprint patterns grouped by host species. The data s uggest that the marine mammal isolates are distinct types of Brucella and n ot one of the classical species or biovars invading new host species. In ke eping with historical precedent, the designation of several new Brucella sp ecies may be appropriate.