The Development of Molecular Techniques for Strain Typing and Epidemiology Studies of Brucella spp

The main aim is to develop new molecular identification tools that will speed up the process of typing Brucella isolates and enable a greater degree of strain identification than is possible at present. These tools will enable the source and means of spread of infection to be established far more quickly and with a greater degree of accuracy.
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This research underpins MAFF's statutory obligation to control and eradicate brucellosis from farm animals in the UK for reasons of anmal and pubic health. Rapid and specific molecular typing will accelerate the speed with which Brucella isolates areidentified. High-resolution molecular typing tools will achieve enable isolates to be ascribed a strain 'signature'; which will be invaluable in epidemiological studies to accurately determine the source and means of spread of the infection.
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By improving the capability of the response to an outbreak these tools will help protect the substantial investment placed in eradicating the disease from the UK. Molecular typing tools will help in the rapid identication of Brucella infected herds, should the disease be introduced by importation. This will reduce the risk to public and animal health, and minimise the costs associated with clean-up procedures