ABSTRACT
Erythritol metabolism by bacteria in the genus Brucella has been recognised from long time ago as a peculiar trait related to the capability of the members in this genus to produce abortions in ruminants. This association has been explained by the high concentration of erythritol in foetal tissues linked to the capability of Brucella to use erythritol preferentially over other nutrients. The pathway for erythritol degradation in Brucella is well known and more recently the genes encoding an operon for erythritol catabolism have been identified and characterised. This finding, along with the availability of genomic data and genetic tools, allows a closer analysis of the mechanisms underlying the role of erythritol metabolism in the virulence of Brucella.
