[Use of molecular-biological methods for identifying brucella in a comparative analysis of strains, isolated from sick dogs].

Ten strains isolated from sick dogs in 1998 in St. Petersburg were studied by traditional and molecular biological methods of Brucella identification. PCR study confirmed that the isolated cultures were Brucellae, and comparative study of the traditional phenotypical characteristics and protein and antigenic composition allowed referring all the isolated strains to B. canis. Traditional identification showed similarity of 7 strains with the reference B. canis strain RM6/66, and 3 strains were similar to B. canis Mex 51 strain. These results confirmed the division of B. canis into two biovars. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate demonstrated the identity of protein profiles of 10 strains isolated from dogs to the reference B. canis RM6/66 strain. Immunoblotting analysis with S- and R-specific rabbit antisera also demonstrated the identity of antigens binding IgG antibodies in the strains isolated from dogs to the reference B. canis RM6/66 strain.