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Veterinary research communications2025; 49(3); 156; doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-10725-9

Study of epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Brucella strains circulating in Kazakhstan.

Abstract: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic infectious diseases of animals. The causative agent of brucellosis is a highly conserved bacterium of the genus Brucella, which includes 14 species with minor genetic changes. Our work aimed to study the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Brucella strains circulating in Kazakhstan, including the study of polymorphisms in critical virulence genes using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis based on whole genome sequencing (WGS). A total of 21 Brucella isolates obtained in 2023-2024 from cattle, sheep and goats, horses, camels, pigs, dogs, and humans were analyzed. As a result of whole-genome sequencing, 69 virulence genes were detected. The genome of Brucella melitensis, the most virulent species of Brucella, was the most susceptible to changes. Among the 10 virulence genes studied using SNP, polymorphisms were found in 7 genes. Some genetic mutations resulted in amino acid changes in the coding sequences of these virulence genes. Knowledge of virulence factors and changes in their coding genes has practical implications for epidemiological studies in outbreak areas, their management, and the implementation of brucellosis control strategies.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-04-01 PubMed ID: 40167879PubMed Central: PMC11961523DOI: 10.1007/s11259-025-10725-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigated the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Brucella bacteria circulating in Kazakhstan.
  • The research focused on identifying genetic variations in key virulence genes of Brucella strains isolated from various animals and humans, using whole genome sequencing.

Background

  • Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
  • The disease is caused by bacteria from the genus Brucella, which consists of 14 species with only minor genetic differences.
  • Brucella bacteria infect multiple animal species, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, camels, pigs, and dogs, and can spread to humans.

Research Objectives

  • To study the epidemiological characteristics of Brucella strains found in Kazakhstan.
  • To analyze the molecular makeup of these strains, particularly focusing on polymorphisms or genetic variations in important virulence genes.
  • To use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, based on whole genome sequencing (WGS), to detect mutations and their potential impacts.

Methods

  • Collected 21 Brucella isolates during 2023-2024 from various animal hosts and human cases in Kazakhstan.
  • Performed whole genome sequencing on all isolates to obtain detailed genetic information.
  • Identified and analyzed a total of 69 virulence genes across the genomes of these strains.
  • Focused on detailed SNP analysis of 10 key virulence genes to detect specific polymorphisms.

Key Findings

  • Brucella melitensis, considered the most virulent Brucella species, showed the highest susceptibility to genetic changes among the strains studied.
  • Polymorphisms were found in 7 out of 10 virulence genes examined for SNPs.
  • Some of these genetic mutations led to changes in amino acid sequences, potentially affecting the structure and function of virulence factors.

Implications

  • Understanding virulence gene variations helps clarify how Brucella strains differ in causing disease severity and spread.
  • The findings provide valuable molecular data for epidemiological tracking of Brucella outbreaks in Kazakhstan.
  • Knowledge of specific genetic changes can inform better control strategies and management of brucellosis, reducing transmission risk between animals and humans.

Conclusion

  • This study successfully characterized the epidemiological and molecular diversity of Brucella strains in Kazakhstan through whole genome sequencing.
  • The identification of mutations in key virulence genes contributes to understanding bacterial adaptation and pathogenicity in the region.
  • These insights support public health efforts to monitor, control, and prevent brucellosis outbreaks effectively.

Cite This Article

APA
Daugaliyeva A, Daugaliyeva S, Abutalip A, Adambayeva A, Kydyr N, Peletto S. (2025). Study of epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Brucella strains circulating in Kazakhstan. Vet Res Commun, 49(3), 156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-10725-9

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 3
Pages: 156
PII: 156

Researcher Affiliations

Daugaliyeva, Aida
  • Kazakh Research Institute of Livestock and Fodder Production, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Daugaliyeva, Saule
  • Research and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology, Almaty, Kazakhstan. saule.daugalieva@mail.ru.
Abutalip, Aspen
  • Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Adambayeva, Akmaral
  • Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Kydyr, Nazerke
  • Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Peletto, Simone
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Kazakhstan / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Brucellosis / epidemiology
  • Brucellosis / veterinary
  • Brucellosis / microbiology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Brucella / genetics
  • Brucella / pathogenicity
  • Brucella / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence / genetics
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / veterinary
  • Cattle
  • Sheep
  • Goats

Grant Funding

  • AP19676357 / Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethical statement: The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Kazakh Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Forage Production performed animal experiments (№ 3 7.11.2022). Consent to publish: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Orkara S, Khamzina A, Sandybayev N, Sattarova R, Davletova A, Khamzin K, Pokharel K, Ibragimov P, Burambayeva N, Smagulov D. Epidemiological landscape and genetic prospects for marker-assisted selection in Kazakh sheep.. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1647959.
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