pertussis. The T4SS is a virulence factor characterized by a transporter apparatus localized in the outer membrane.

It is able to translocate bacterial DNA or effector proteins into target host cells [125]. The T4SS of Brucella apparently does not secret DNA, and only recently some secreted molecules have been identified [131]. Effector

The Open Veterinary Science Journal, 2010, 4, 109-118 109 1874-3188/10 2010 Bentham Open Open Access Pathogenesis of Brucella spp. Mariana N. Xavier1, Tatiane A. Paixo1, Andras B. den Hartigh2, Rene M. Tsolis2 and Renato L. Santos*,1 1Departamento de Clnica e Cirurgia Veterinria, Escola de Veterinria, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil 2Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA Abstract: Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide, resulting in serious economic losses and public health issues. It is caused by intracellular Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Brucella, which are responsible for a debilitating disease in humans and a chronic infection in domestic animals. The present article considers the pathogenesis of Brucella spp., with the goal to cover clinical aspects of the disease in the different mammalian species along with the target cells used by this pathogen to survive inside the host. Additionally, important molecular mechanisms used by Brucella to invade and persist inside the hosts target cells are also discussed. Keywords: Brucellosis, pathogenesis, Brucella. INTRODUCTION Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases globally, with an estimated 500,000 new human cases each year. The disease is caused by Gram negative bacteria of the genus Brucella, which are facultative intracellular coccobacilli that belong to the 2Proteobacteriacea family [1]. In spite of more than 94% similarity amongst the members of the genus [2,3], bacteria of the genus Brucella have different host preferences. Therefore, Brucella spp. are capable of causing disease in a variety of animal species, including humans (Table 1). Table 1. Zoonotic Potential and Host Preference of Brucella Species Species Zoonotic Potential Host Preference Brucella melitensis High Sheep, goat Brucella abortus Moderate Cattle Brucella suis Moderate Pig Brucella canis Mild Dog Brucella ovis Absent Sheep Brucella neotomae Absent Desert wood rat (Neotomae lepida) Brucella ceti Mild Cetaceans Brucella pinnipedialis Mild Seals Brucella microti Absent Common voles (Microtus arvalis) *Address correspondence to this author at the Departamento de Clnica e Cirurgia Veterinria, Escola de Veterinria, Universidade Federal de Minas