A family of bacteria (order Eubacteriales) containing small, coccoid to rod-shaped, Gram-negative cells which occur singly, in pairs, in short chains, or in groups. The cells may or may not show bipolar staining. Motile and nonmotile species occur; motile cells are peritrichous. V (phosphopyridine nucleotide) and/or X (hemin) factors are sometimes required for growth. Blood serum may be required or may enhance growth. Increased carbon dioxide tension may also favor growth, especially on primary isolation. These organisms are parasites and pathogens that affect warm-blooded animals, including humans, rarely cold-blooded animals; formerly called Parvobacteriaceae; type genus is Brucella.
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Bru·cel·la·ce·ae .brü-sə-'lā-sē-.ē n pl a family of small gram-negative coccoid to rod-shaped bacteria of the order Eubacteriales that are obligate parasites chiefly of warm-blooded vertebrates and that include a number of serious pathogens see BRUCELLA
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Bru·cel·la·ceae (broo″sə-laґse-e) a family bacteria of the order Rhizobiales, grouped together on the basis of 16S rRNA sequence analysis and consisting of gram-negative, aerobic cocci and rod-shaped bacteria. Medically important organisms are included in the genera Brucella and Ochrobactrum.Medical dictionary. 2011.