Aromatic Compound-Dependent Brucella suis Is Attenuated in Both Cultured Cells and Mouse Models

The aroC gene of the facultative intracellular pathogen Brucella suis was cloned and sequenced. The cloned aroC gene complements Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium aroC mutants. A B. suis aroC mutant was found to be unable to grow in a defined medium without aromatic compounds. The mutant was highly attenuated in tissue culture (THP1 macrophages and HeLa cells) and murine virulence models.