Epidemiological surveillance and molecular profiling of brucellosis in Bozhou city , Anhui province

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui     font:big middle small

Found programs: Academic Funding Program for Top Talents in Colleges and Universities ( No . gxbjZD2020058); Key Research and Development Program of Anhui Province for Yangtze River Delta Science and Technology Cooperation (No. 2022i01020022); Anhui Medical University Research Level Enhancement Plan (No . 2020xkjT003)

Authors:Kang Xiaodong1 , 2 , Wang Jun3 , Qian Shusheng2 , Wang Xiangying2 , Tang Yunfei2 , Huai Xuefei2 , Jiang Dongdong2 , Liu Zhengxiang2 , Liu Yan1

Keywords:Brucellosis; pathogen surveillance ; BCSP31-PCR; AMOS-PCR; 16S rRNA; Brucella melitensis

DOI:

〔Abstract〕 To illuminate the distribution of brucellosis patients and the epidemic typologies as well as the genetic attributes of brucellosis in Bozhou City , Anhui Province , thereby furnishing a substantive foundation for formulating efficacious prevention and control strategies for this disease within the region . Methods The rose ben- gal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and the tube agglutination test (TAT) were conducted on a total of 698 blood samples that had been collected . Epidemiological data of the tested subjects were meticulously collected , followed by statistical analyses of the obtained results . The genomic DNA of positive bacterial strains was cultured and ex- tracted . Molecular identification and typing of the isolated strains were executed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Se- quence alignment was conducted employing Clustal W and MEGA 7 , with comparisons made against the outcomes of AMOS-PCR and BCSP31-PCR. Results A total of 66 positive samples were detected through serological assays , with a positive rate of 9. 46% . The demographic cohort demonstrating the highest detection rate primarily comprised individuals engaged in live sheep slaughtering. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing on ten positive strains disclosed close phylogenetic affinities with Brucella melitensis . Moreover , the phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that these strains coalesced within the same branch , the findings were in alignment with the results obtained from BCSP31 - PCR and AMOS-PCR assays . Conclusion Brucella melitensis assumes a predominant position in the transmission dynamics within this area , identifying individuals involved in sheep breeding , slaughtering , vending , and related occupations as high-risk groups . The outcomes of this study offer molecular biological substantiation for the distribu- tion of brucellosis patients in this region , contribute to genotyping endeavors and tracing studies associated with the pathogen , and concurrently verify the efficacy of 16S rRNA molecular tracing.