Brucella: functional genomics and host–pathogen interactions

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a number ofBrucellaspecies and is characterized by chronic macrophage infection. However, genes that may contribute to intracellular survival of theBrucellaspecies are not well studied. This review presents, first, genomic islands that are present or absent in variousBrucellaspecies that may help establishBrucellainfection and survival strategies. Second, the alteration in macrophage transcription byBrucellato permit its long-term survival within this hostile intracellular environment. A large number of macrophage gene transcripts are altered followingBrucellainfection indicating thatBrucellais not a silent invader of host cells. Macrophage transcript levels associated with inflammation, apoptosis, signal transduction and vesicular intracellular trafficking are altered duringBrucellainfection, and likely contribute to intracellular survival ofBrucella. Lastly, the host–pathogen interaction events associated withBrucellainfection in living mice visualized in real-time using biophotonic imaging. Mice are often used to evaluateBrucellainfections; however,Brucelladissemination and pathogenesis is poorly understood in mice. Biophotonic imaging ofBrucellainfections revealed sites of bacterial localization similar to human infections and different patterns of infection by attenuated or virulentBrucella.