About this Research Topic
Brucella spp. is the etiological agent of brucellosis, a major worldwide zoonotic disease that causes a significant economic impact on the livestock industry and public health. The disease is characterized by a severe debilitating and disabling illness in human, and abortion as a prominent clinical sign in susceptible animals. From the first isolation of the Brucella organism (called Micrococcus melitensis) until the beginning of the XXI Century, the genus Brucella contained the six “classical” species: melitensis, abortus, suis, canis, ovis and neotomae. However, in the last 20 years many other Brucella microorganisms belonging to different species have been isolated from wild terrestrial, marine and flying mammals. And probably many others will be discovered in the near future.
Today, approximately half of the human population, as well as livestock production, live at risk of contracting brucellosis. Although the potential zoonotic and host-to-host infectious capacity of these new isolates and others to come is still unknown, affordable activities are desperately needed to prevent, control and eradicate brucellosis in domestic animals and humans. After years of independent research, the scientific community has agreed that the most effective measures to achieve success in the fight against brucellosis are those that arise to consider the disease, the hosts and the environment as a whole and not studying them individually.
It is our expectation to provide in this research topic the latest advances in scientific knowledge for a better understanding of Brucella and brucellosis, and to contribute with ideas, tools and strategies to address this complex neglected disease among all scientific community. Original research papers, reviews and short communications that contribute to:
-Preventing, predicting and detecting brucellosis in natural and susceptible hosts;
-Finding reservoirs and vectors, and their importance in the epidemiology of the disease;
-Deciphering the hierarchical host preference of Brucella species;
-Identifying Brucella virulence factors, their mechanisms of action and involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease;
-Developing in vivo or in silico models for the study of the host: pathogen interaction; and
-An alternative or broader vision of current brucellosis control and eradication programs will be welcome.
Today, approximately half of the human population, as well as livestock production, live at risk of contracting brucellosis. Although the potential zoonotic and host-to-host infectious capacity of these new isolates and others to come is still unknown, affordable activities are desperately needed to prevent, control and eradicate brucellosis in domestic animals and humans. After years of independent research, the scientific community has agreed that the most effective measures to achieve success in the fight against brucellosis are those that arise to consider the disease, the hosts and the environment as a whole and not studying them individually.
It is our expectation to provide in this research topic the latest advances in scientific knowledge for a better understanding of Brucella and brucellosis, and to contribute with ideas, tools and strategies to address this complex neglected disease among all scientific community. Original research papers, reviews and short communications that contribute to:
-Preventing, predicting and detecting brucellosis in natural and susceptible hosts;
-Finding reservoirs and vectors, and their importance in the epidemiology of the disease;
-Deciphering the hierarchical host preference of Brucella species;
-Identifying Brucella virulence factors, their mechanisms of action and involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease;
-Developing in vivo or in silico models for the study of the host: pathogen interaction; and
-An alternative or broader vision of current brucellosis control and eradication programs will be welcome.
Keywords: Brucella, Brucellosis, Public health, Reservoirs, Re-emerging disease
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
