NC_009505:727694 Brucella ovis ATCC 25840 chromosome I, complete sequence
Host Lineage: Brucella ovis; Brucella; Brucellaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from sheep tissue in Australia. Causes brucellosis in sheep. This organism specifically affects sheep, causing ovine brucellosis which results in significant economic losses. Infection by the organism can cause infertility in rams as the bacterium preferentially colonizes the genital tract, and causes inflammation of the epididymis which leads to necrotic lesions and a decrease in sperm numbers and motility. This bacterium, like other Brucella, is an intracellular pathogen that infects phagocytic cells such as macrophages. Bacterial cells produces a lipopolysaccharide that lacks O-antigen side chains, which results in a rough colony phenotype, and aids in differentiation as compared to other Brucella.