These are Gram-negative, non-sporing non-acid fast small rods or coccobacilli (0.5-0.7µm x 0.6-1.5µm), which may become pleomorphic (variable in shape). They are not motile. They are strictly aerobic and some species may require additional CO2. They are oxidase-positive and catalase-positive. They do not ferment the usual carbohydrates. There is some controversy about which genera should be considered related to it. Other related genera may be Flavobacterium, Bordetella and Francisella, but no genetic relationship with these genera has been demonstrated

Genera

There are currently six species recognized within this genus. The reconized species are B. abortus , B. canis , B. melitensis, B. neotomae, B. ovis and B. suis . It has been suggested by some that there should be only one species: B. melitensis , with the other species being mere biovars (strains showing biochemical differences) within this species. All can reduce nitrate to nitrite. They all produce urease, are citrate and methyl red negative, do not produce acetylmethylcarbinol or gelatinase and are o -nitrophenol-b-D-galactosidase negative. A number of growth factors, including thiamine, niacin and biotin are required by these organisms. In addition many strains grow better when serum, blood, haemin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide are available. The GC content of the DNA is 55-58 mol%.

Species Profiles

B. abortus

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