Multiple locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) of isolates of Brucella melitensis isolated in the Republic of Croatia

In the period from 2009 to 2013, bacteriological testing was conducted on 336 sheep, goat and cattle samples. Using classical bacteriological and molecular procedures, B. melitensis was confirmed in 14 (4.2 %) samples. Brucella was isolated in the Karlovac, Lika-Senj and Split-Dalmatia Counties. Brucella isolates were genotyped using the MLVA method and compared with isolates from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). A total of 14 isolates (strains) originating from Croatia and 25 from BH were analysed. Complete matches between Croatian and BH isolates were found in two genotype groups. Overall, the MLVA analysis indicated that the Croatian and BH genotypes of B. melitensis from animals were highly homogenous. The Hunter Gaston diversity index (HGDI) showed that diversity was found among the 16 tested loci for 5 loci of panel 2B (Bruce 04, 07, 09, 16, 30). The discriminating loci are optimal for the use in epidemiological investigation of B. melitensis infections in these two countries.