| Description | Brucella suis is a gram-negative, rod-shaped (bacillus) bacterium that thrives in a mesophilic temperature range, between 25°C and 40°C. As a chemoorganotroph, it derives its energy from the breakdown of organic compounds, rather than from sunlight or inorganic substances. Specifically, it is an obligate heterotroph, meaning it requires organic molecules as a source of energy and carbon, and is unable to produce its own food. Brucella suis is capable of using a variety of energy production mechanisms, including aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. In its natural environment, it typically prefers aerobic conditions, but can also survive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep tissues or abscesses. This bacterium can be found in a variety of body sites, including the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and reproductive organs, of its hosts, which include domestic swine, wild boars, and humans. Infection typically occurs through contact with contaminated animal products, such as meat or milk, or through direct contact with infected animals. Brucella suis is an obligate aerobe, meaning it requires the presence of oxygen to survive. It is sensitive to low oxygen levels and will not grow in the absence of sufficient oxygen. This makes it vulnerable to treatment with antibiotics that target anaerobic bacteria, such as metronidazole. In addition to its pathogenic potential, Brucella suis has been used as a model organism in scientific research, particularly in the fields of bacteriology and immunology. For example, studies have used B. suis to investigate the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions, as well as to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for brucellosis. |
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