Bacteriocinogenicity of Brucellae isolated from foci in the Caucasus

: The capacity of 216 Brucella strains to produce bacteriocins was studied. The strains were isolated from patients, farm animals, mouse-like rodents and food products in brucellosis foci of the Caucasus. The data on induction of brucellacin synthesis with methylrosanilinum chloride and screening of new indicator strains are presented. Brucellacin was isolated from 134 (62.1 per cent) cultures of Br. melitensis, Br. abortus, Br. suis and Br. ovis. Differences in the nature of the inhibition growth zones of Br. neotomae 325, an indicator culture obtained with the use of brucellacins from various Brucella species were noted. The brucellacin-producing cultures were detected under the effect of methylrosanilinum chloride among Br. abortus and Br. melitensis with an increase in the number of the bacteriocinogenic isolates and the size of the inhibition growth zones of the indicator culture. At the same time it was found that methylrosanilinum chloride suppressed the bacteriocinogenic properties of Br. suis and was indifferent with respect to the bacteriocinogenic properties of Br. ovis. Three indicator cultures, i.e. 14, 19 and 33 of Br. melitensis and one indicator culture, i.e. 718 of Br. ovis are recommended for identification of brucellacin.