The genome sequence of Brucella pinnipedialis B2/94 sheds light on the evolutionary history of the genus Brucella

摘要

BackgroundSince the discovery of the Malta fever agent, Brucella melitensis, in the 19th century, six terrestrial mammal-associated Brucella species were recognized over the next century. More recently the number of novel Brucella species has increased and among them, isolation of species B. pinnipedialis and B. ceti from marine mammals raised many questions about their origin as well as on the evolutionary history of the whole genus.