12/19/2022: Lab Update: Reclassification of Ochrobactrum species into the Brucella genus

Audience: Clinical Laboratories

Level: Laboratory Update

All Ochrobactrum species were recently reclassified into the Brucella genus to align taxonomical nomenclature with phylogenetic analyses. This change in nomenclature has been reflected in many of the rapid microbial identification systems used in clinical laboratories.

Laboratories should note any bacteria identified as ‘Brucella’ on rapid or sequence-based systems and handle all organisms identified as ‘Brucella’ species in a class II biosafety cabinet. All bacterial isolates presumptively identified as “Brucella species” should be referred to your state public health laboratory for additional testing.

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Resources

• List of new names and new combinations previously effectively, but not validly, published | Microbiology Society (microbiologyresearch.org)
• Analysis of 1,000+ Type-Strain Genomes Substantially Improves Taxonomic Classification of Alphaproteobacteria – PubMed (nih.gov)
• Genus: Brucella (dsmz.de)
• Brucellosis (Brucella spp.) 2010 Case Definition | CDC

Questions?

• If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
• For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
• For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.

Thank you,

The Laboratory Outreach Communication System

Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)

Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

LOCS@cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/locs