1. What taxonomic or nomenclature update has occurred?
Name change: Brucella anthropi (formerly Ochrobactrum anthropi). Ochrobactrum anthropi has been merged with the brucellae (because of phylogenetically related analysis).39
At present, a great deal of concern revolves around this particular name change, mostly because of the historical significance of the Brucella spp.
2. Does it affect medical microbiology and clinical medicine? (If so, how?)
Historically speaking:
- Ochrobactrum spp. are known as free-living bacteria associated with soil and plants.
- Genus Ochrobactrum (while closely related to genus Brucella) is not an agent of bioterrorism. (It is not a select agent, although the lab must rule out select agent Brucella spp.)40
- Genus Ochrobactrum does not cause the disease brucellosis. It does not possess the same virulence and characteristics as the historically well-known Brucella spp.
3. Are the correct antimicrobial susceptibility breakpoints in effect? (If not, what needs to change?)
Labs should ensure the correct antimicrobial susceptibility breakpoints are applied to the organism.
4. Who must be notified?
The laboratory must notify all parties affected (microbiology and lab staff, LIS workers, stakeholders such as pharmacy and infection control committees, and providers such as infectious disease clinicians) to avoid potential confusion.
Both nomenclature are still valid, and it might be best to use both nomenclature when reporting the bacteria.
39. Jerke, K. (2023, November 13). Brucella - What's New: Changes and Challenges, slides 27–40 [Division of Laboratory Systems Presentation]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) Call. https://www.cdc.gov/locs/calls/documents/11_13_2023_slides_508.pdf 40. Moreno, E., et al. (2023). If You're Not Confused, You're Not Paying Attention: Ochrobactrum Is Not Brucella. Journal of clinical microbiology, 61(8), e0043823. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00438-23
