Project: Brucella melitensis: biotyping and differential diagnostic
/Key Words: Brucellosis in sheep and goats caused by Brucella melitensis, one of the most virulent species of Brucella, is a widespread zoonosis, especially in Mediterranean and Middle-East countries where it also constitutes a hazard for humans. Although the spread of the disease is controlled in European countries by livestock testing, vaccination, and slaughter programs, brucellosis remain a major problem in the Mediterranean region, where it causes severe economic losses, e.g., in Israel transmission to dairy cattle is a significant problem. Occurrences of false- positive serological reactions are a serious threat in the eradication program of animal brucellosis. In addition serological tests cannot discriminate infected from Rev.1 vaccinated animals, a relevant matter when prophylaxis program is actuated to contain the disease. Brucmel project fits the EMIDA aims, by improving understanding of production disease epidemiology for Brucellosis, and by generating the necessary underpinning knowledge relating to the development of improved control tools, including diagnostic tests and vaccines, and their implementation. The project will develop new diagnostic tools for disease control, capable of discriminating infected from cross-reactive animals but also infected from Rev.1 vaccinated animals, in order to enhance the prophylaxis program in Mediterranean area and over. The countries involved in this project have long experience on Brucellosis research, diagnosis and control. In order to evaluate and eradicate Brucellosis in Mediterannean area, the project will be implemented by partners coming from Italy (ICT is OIE and national Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis), Greece and Israel (OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis).Working together the partners have the common objective to develop a better understanding of B. melitensis and cross-reacting bacteria at protein and molecular level by using a combination of advanced researches techniques. Project goals are: 1) analysis of bacterial surface immunogenic proteins; 2) immunogenic protein identification, synthesis of peptides and production of Monoclonal antibodies; 3) analysis for different lineage of B. melitensis present in Israel, Greece and Italy and comparing to authentic Elberg strain Rev.1; 4) genetic analysis of field and rev.1 vaccine strains of B. melitensis; 5) dissemination and exploitation of results achieved. Dissemination and exploitation of project results will be realized at national and international level. Consortium members from Italy and Israel, in accordance with the mission of the OIE Reference Lab will spread the best knowledge and technologies on the matter in order to implement disease surveillance and control at international level.
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