Author/Authors :
Hashemifar, Iman Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Masjedian Jazi, Faramarz Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Yadegar, Abbas Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center - Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Amirmozafari, Nour Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Human brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, and Brucella suis. Brucella
causes a chronic disease, which subverts the immune defense system of their hosts. In this study, the prevalence of an important Brucella
virulence determinant, PrpA, which can modulate immune response, was determined in human isolates.
Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was standardized and applied to 37 isolates obtained from patient’s specimens. Primers
for prpA gene were designed and evaluated using bioinformatic tools. DNA sequencing was performed for further verification.
Results: In the 37 Brucella isolates (31 Brucella melitensis and 6 Brucella abortus), 32 (86.4%) carried prpA gene.
Conclusion: Presence of prpA gene in most isolates indicates the high prevalence of this gene among Iranian isolates and emphasizes
its role in pathogenicity of this organism.
Keywords :
PrpA , Proline Racemase , Brucellosis , Brucella species
