Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the publication of our article is now available online: Qingzhong Wu, Wayne E. McFee, Tracey Goldstein, Rebekah V. Tiller and Lori Schwacke. 2014. Real-time PCR assays for detection of *Brucella* spp. and the identification of genotype ST27 in bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*). Journal of Microbiological Methods DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2014.03.001 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167701214000736 Abstract: Rapid detection of *Brucella* spp*.* in marine mammals is challenging. Microbiologic culture is used for definitive diagnosis of brucellosis, but is time consuming, has low sensitivity and can be hazardous to laboratory personnel. Serological methods can aid in diagnosis, but may not differentiate prior exposure versus current active infection and may cross-react with unrelated gram-negative bacteria. This study reports a real-time PCR assay for the detection of *Brucella* spp*.* and application to screen clinical samples from bottlenose dolphins stranded along the coast of South Carolina, USA. The assay was found to be 100% sensitive for the *Brucella* strains tested, and the limit of detection was 0.27 fg of genomic DNA from *B. ceti* B1/94 per PCR volume. No amplification was detected for the non-*Brucella* pathogens tested. *Brucella* DNA was detected in 31% (55/178) of clinical samples tested. These studies indicate that the real-time PCR assay is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of *Brucella *spp*.* in bottlenose dolphins. We also developed a second real-time PCR assay for rapid identification of *Brucella* ST27, a genotype that is associated with human zoonotic infection. Positive results were obtained for *Brucella* strains which had been identified as ST27 by multilocus sequence typing. No amplification was found for other *Brucella* strains included in this study. ST27 was identified in 33% (18/54) of *Brucella* spp. DNA-positive clinical samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of a real-time PCR assay for identification of *Brucella* genotype ST27 in marine mammals. Best regards, David -- Qingzhong (David) Wu, JHT, Inc. - Contractor Hollings Marine Laboratory National Ocean Service 331 Ft. Johnson Rd. Charleston, SC 29412 Office 843-762-8940david.wu@noaa.gov