title: Brucella cultures typed by the Who Brucellosis Centre at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Melbourne.
abstract: Results of the typing of Brucella cultures received at the WHO Brucellosis Centre, CSL, Melbourne, from 1968-1976 are presented. The distribution of the biotypes of cultures recovered throughout Australia is shown on a host and State basis and atypical cultures are discussed. Cultures identified from Australia were Br. abortus, biotypes 1, 2 and 4 and Strain 19; Br. suis, biotype 1 and Br. ovis. Br. melitensis biotypes 1, 2 and 3 were recorded only as exotic human infections from the Mediterranean area and from laboratory infections. Br. abortus, biotype 1 was the most common bovine and human isolate and was found in horses, a goat and a sheep. There was a low incidence of Br. abortus, biotype 2 in cattle and it was found in 1 horse. Br. abortus, biotype 3 was not found in Australia but was submitted from Tanzania. Br. abortus, biotype 4 was rare in cattle and was found once in a horse. Br. abortus, Strain 19 was found occasionally in cattle and once from a test guinea pig. Br. suis, biotype 1 was found in both man and pigs in Queensland and New South Wales whereas biotype 3 was isolated only in New Guinea from pigs and cattle. Br. ovis was submitted from 3 States. Br. canis has not been found in Australia.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D002002:Brucella / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs / Q000382:microbiology; D006041:Goats / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D012756:Sheep / Q000382:microbiology; D014944:World Health Organization