Recent Advances in Molecular Approaches to Brucella Diagnostics And Epidemiology
Adrian M. Whatmore and Krishna K. Gopaul
from: Brucella: Molecular Microbiology and Genomics (Edited by: Ignacio López-Goñi and David O'Callaghan). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2012)
Abstract
For many years, the diagnosis of brucellosis depended on tried and tested cultural and serological approaches. However, whilst these techniques have been instrumental in successful control and eradication schemes such as the one undertaken in Great Britain, these methods are not ideal. As a highly infectious zoonotic pathogen culture of Brucella is hazardous whilst serological tests targeting lipopolysaccharide can be compromised by non-specific cross-reactions. With rapid advances in molecular biology, and driven by the need for improved diagnostic and epidemiological approaches, novel techniques based on the genetic component of the pathogen have become more popular in recent years. In this chapter we will discuss the current status of development and implementation of such techniques applied to Brucella whilst also looking forward at potential avenues for further molecular advancement read more ...
