Name: Brucella Meyer and Shaw 1920 (Approved Lists 1980)

Category: Genus

Proposed as: gen. nov.

Etymology: Bru.cel’la. N.L. fem. dim. n. Brucella, named after Sir David Bruce, who first recognized the organism causing undulant (Malta) fever

Gender, pronunciation (Latin): feminine (stem: Brucell-), bru-KEL-la

Type species: Brucella melitensis (Hughes 1893) Meyer and Shaw 1920 (Approved Lists 1980)

Conduct genome-based taxonomy of genus at TYGS

16S rRNA gene: Analyse FASTA

Effective publication: Meyer KF, Shaw EB. A comparison of the morphologic, cultural and biochemical characteristics of B. abortus and B. melitensis from cattle. Studies on the genus Brucella nov. gen. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1920; 27:173-184.

IJSEM list: Skerman VBD, McGowan V, Sneath PHA. Approved lists of bacterial names. Int J Syst Bacteriol 1980; 30:225-420.

Nomenclatural status: validly published under the ICNP

Taxonomic status: correct name

Risk group: 3

• Synonyms:

  • Name	Kind
    Ochrobactrum Holmes et al. 1988	heterotypic synonym, validly published under the ICNP

• Emendations:
  • Verger et al. 1985 Verger JM, Grimont F, Grimont PAD, Grayon M. Brucella, a monospecific genus as shown by deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 1985; 35:292-295.

• Notes:
  • 🥇 Nomenclatural type of the family Brucellaceae Breed et al. 1957 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Breed RS, Murray EGD, Smith (eds) NR. Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 7th ed. The Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1957.
  • 🥇 Nomenclatural type of the tribe Brucelleae Murray 1948 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Murray EGD. Tribe II. Brucelleae Bergey, Breed and Murray. In: Breed RS, Murray EGD, Hitchens AP (eds), Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 6th ed., The Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1948, p. 545-595.
  • 🧕 Breed et al. (1948) assigned this genus to the tribe Brucelleae Murray 1948 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Murray EGD. Tribe II. Brucelleae Bergey, Breed and Murray. In: Breed RS, Murray EGD, Hitchens AP (eds), Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 6th ed., The Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1948, p. 545-595.
  • 🧕 Breed et al. (1957) assigned this genus to the family Brucellaceae Breed et al. 1957 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Parker CD. Genus V. Thiobacillus Beijerinck 1904. In: Breed RS, Murray EGD, Smith NR (eds), Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 7th edition, The Williams & Wilkins Co, Baltimore, 1957, p. 83-88.
  • 🧕 Breed et al. (1957) assigned this genus to the family Brucellaceae Breed et al. 1957 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Breed RS, Murray EGD, Smith (eds) NR. Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 7th ed. The Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1957.
  • 🚋 The type species of this genus has alternatively been placed in the genus Streptococcus Rosenbach 1884 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Hughes ML. The natural history of certain fevers occurring in the Mediterrranean. Mediterranean Nature 1893; 2:325-327.
  • 🚋 The type species of this genus has alternatively been placed in the genus "Bacterium" Ehrenberg 1831. Publication: Schmidt J. Familie Bacteriaceae. In: Schmidt J, Weis F (eds), Bakterierne. Naturhistorisk Grundlag for det Bakteriologiske Studium, Morten Porsild, København, 1901, p. 248-296.
  • 🙄 This taxon name is occasionally misprinted (or affected by an OCR error) in some sources as: "Bmcella"; "Brircella"; "Brucalla"; "Brucczlla"; "Bruceila"; "Brucelka"; "Brucetla"; "Brurclla"; "Brurella"; "Brusella"; "Bruvclla"; "Burucella"; "Butcella"; "Iirucella"; "Prucella"; "Rrucella".
  • 🖹 Minimal standards for the description of new taxa in this group were published in 1975. Publication: Corbel MJ, Brinley Morgan WJ. Proposal for Minimal Standards for Descriptions of New Species and Biotypes of the Genus Brucella. International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology 1975; 25:83-89.
  • 🖹 Minimal standards for the description of new taxa in this group were published in 1975. Publication: Corbel MJ, Brinley-Morgan WJ. Proposal for Minimal Standards for Descriptions of New Species and Biotypes of the Genus Brucella. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 1975; 25:243.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Gargani G, Lopez-Merino A. International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology, Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Brucella correspondence report (interim report 1991-1993). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2006; 56:1167-1168.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Osterman B, Moriyón I. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Brucella. Minutes of the meeting, 17 September 2003, Pamplona, Spain. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 2006; 56:1173-1175.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Mousavi SA, Young JPW. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Rhizobia and Agrobacteria, minutes of the annual meeting by videoconference, 5 July 2021, followed by online discussion until 31 December 2021. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2022; 72:5453. 🇫🇮
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Stableforth AW, Jones LM. Report of the Subcommittee on Taxonomy of the genus Brucella: Speciation in the Genus Brucella. International Bulletin of Bacteriological Nomenclature and Taxonomy 1963; 13:145-158.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: MacMillan A. International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology: Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Brucella. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2006; 56:1171-1171.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Mousavi SA, Young JPW. International committee on systematics of prokaryotes subcommittee on the taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria: Minutes of the 2025 closed annual meeting. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2026; 76:7149. 🇫🇮
  • 💁 Taxonomists who have recently focused on this group are the corresponding authors of Scholz et al. (2010), Kaempfer et al. (2011), Zurdo-Pineiro et al. (2007). Editors in search of reviewers are advised to consider additional criteria such as whether a taxon is covered by one of the ICSP subcommittees.
  • 🎰 The BRCs most frequently used for deposits in this group are: DSM: 19; NCTC: 12; CCUG: 12; ATCC: 7; CIP: 6; NBRC: 6; LMG: 6; CCM: 4; CAPM: 2; KCTC: 2.
  • 😷 The risk group for Taiwan has been imported on 2024-11-03. The full classification is: risk group = 3, note = "P620 = v (B. melitensis), P650 = v". — The risk group for United States has been imported on 2024-02-09. The full classification is: risk group = 3. — If in doubt, use the risk group given in the regulations for your country and, if these are not available, use the risk group given in the catalogue of the culture collection from which you have obtained or intend to obtain the strain.
  • 💥 This name is a homonym of Brucella Ritchie, 1907 (zoological) [from Catalogue of Life].
  • 🧍 In an article resembling a petition, Moreno et al. (2023) once again argued against merging the genera Brucella and Ochrobactrum. However, the abstract contains a couple of questionable statements. Firstly, they advise against the use of the new nomenclature because it was presented without in-depth phylogenetic analyses and alternative taxonomic solutions were not considered. Nevertheless, Hördt et al. (2020) analysed all available genome sequences of alphaproteobacteria type strains based on all available genomic information. How in-depth can it get? Furthermore, Hördt et al. (2020) explained why they favoured their solution over others. Secondly, Moreno et al. (2023) claim that the analysis by Hördt et al. (2020) "was launched without the input of experts in brucellosis or Ochrobactrum". This is true, but merely an expression of taxonomic freedom. Taxonomy should not be monopolised by a select few. Thirdly, the authors claim that the analysis by Hördt et al. (2020) "applies a non-consensus genus concept that disregards taxonomically relevant differences in structure, physiology, population structure, core-pangenome assemblies, genome structure, genomic traits, clinical features, treatment, prevention, diagnosis, genus description rules and, above all, pathogenicity". However, it would be interesting to see the "consensus genus concept" to which these features belong. The main criterion of Hördt et al. (2020) was monophyly. If there is any consensus in taxonomy at all, it is that taxa should be monophyletic. Fourthly, Moreno et al. (2023) argue that "placing these two bacterial groups in the same genus creates risks for veterinarians, medical doctors, clinical laboratories, health authorities, and legislators who deal with brucellosis, a disease that is particularly relevant in low- and middle-income countries." However, Hördt et al. (2020) did not propose Ochrobactrum names for Brucella species, but rather the opposite. This retains the name Brucella, indicating greater danger. Publication: Moreno E, Middlebrook EA, Altamirano-Silva P, Al Dahouk S, Araj GF, Arce-Gorvel V, Arenas-Gamboa A, Ariza J, Barquero-Calvo E, Battelli G, et al. If You're Not Confused, You're Not Paying Attention: Ochrobactrum Is Not Brucella. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0043823. 🇪🇸
  • 🧍 Moreno et al. (2022) oppose the unification of Brucella and Ochrobactrum. However, it is not particularly convincing to prioritise a taxonomic approach that is virtually never used over much more common approaches simply because it is assumed that the former will prevent name changes within a small group of organisms of interest. Publication: Moreno E, Blasco JM, Letesson JJ, Gorvel JP, Moriyon I. Pathogenicity and Its Implications in Taxonomy: The Brucella and Ochrobactrum Case. Pathogens 2022; 11:0. 🇪🇸
  • 🧍 Pittman et al. (1991) suggested the abbreviation "BRCL" for this genus name but this does not appear to be of practical relevance any longer. Publication: Pittman KF, Walczak CA, Lock CM. Codes and abbreviations for approved of effectively published names of genera of bacteria published from January 1980 to December 1990. Int J Syst Bacteriol 1991; 41:571-579.
  • 🧍 See also Ficht (2010). Publication: Ficht T. Brucella taxonomy and evolution. Future Microbiol 2010; 5:859-866. 🇺🇸
  • 🧍 See also Moreno (2021). Publication: Moreno E. The one hundred year journey of the genus Brucella (Meyer and Shaw 1920). FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:0. 🇨🇷

Subdivision:

Number of child taxa with a validly published and correct name: 21
Number of child taxa with a validly published name, including synonyms: 30
Total number of child taxa: 38

• Child taxa:

  • Name	Nomenclatural status	Taxonomic status
    Brucella abortus (Schmidt 1901) Meyer and Shaw 1920 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Brucella anthropi (Holmes et al. 1988) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Brucella bovis" Hauduroy et al. 1953	not validly published	preferred name
    "Brucella brucei" Parnas et al. 1955	not validly published	preferred name
    Brucella canis Carmichael and Bruner 1968 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    "Brucella cetaceae" Cloeckaert et al. 2001	not validly published	preferred name
    Brucella ceti Foster et al. 2007	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Brucella ciceri (Imran et al. 2010) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella cytisi (Zurdo-Piñeiro et al. 2007) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella daejeonensis (Woo et al. 2011) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella endophytica (Li et al. 2016) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella gallinifaecis (Kämpfer et al. 2003) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella grignonensis (Lebuhn et al. 2000) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella haematophila (Kämpfer et al. 2007) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella inopinata Scholz et al. 2010	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    "Brucella intermedia" Renoux 1952	not validly published	preferred name
    Brucella intermedia (Velasco et al. 1998) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella lupini (Trujillo et al. 2006) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Brucella maris" Jahans et al. 1997	not validly published	synonym
    Brucella melitensis (Hughes 1893) Meyer and Shaw 1920 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella microti Scholz et al. 2008	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Brucella neotomae Stoenner and Lackman 1957 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    "Brucella nosferati" Hernández-Mora et al. 2023	not validly published	preferred name
    Brucella oryzae (Tripathi et al. 2006) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella ovis Buddle 1956 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Brucella papionis Whatmore et al. 2014	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella pecoris (Kämpfer et al. 2011) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Brucella pinnipediae" Cloeckaert et al. 2001	not validly published	preferred name
    Brucella pinnipedialis Foster et al. 2007	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella pituitosa (Huber et al. 2010) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella pseudintermedia (Teyssier et al. 2007) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella pseudogrignonensis (Kämpfer et al. 2007) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Brucella rangiferi" Parnas 1966	not validly published	preferred name
    Brucella rhizosphaerae (Kämpfer et al. 2008) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella suis Huddleson 1929 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Brucella thiophenivorans (Kämpfer et al. 2008) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella tritici (Lebuhn et al. 2000) Hördt et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Brucella vulpis Scholz et al. 2016	validly published under the ICNP	synonym

Parent taxon: Bartonellaceae Gieszczykiewicz 1939 (Approved Lists 1980)

Assigned by: diCenzo GC, Yang Y, Young JPW, Kuzmanovic N. Refining the taxonomy of the order Hyphomicrobiales (Rhizobiales) based on whole genome comparisons of over 130 type strains. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2024; 74:6328. 🇨🇦

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Record number: 515274