Brucellosis

A disease caused by a bacillus (Brucella abortus or Brucella melitensis).


A disease which can be caught from cattle or goats or from drinking infected milk, spread by a species of the bacterium Brucella.


Brucellosis is an infectious disease that is transmitted from animals to humans through infected meat or animal products. The disease is rare in the United States, although it is more prevalent in Midwestern states and rural areas. Approximately 200 cases are found in the United States each year. It is more frequently found in other countries where precautions in meat handling and pasteurization are not common practice, and it is sometimes carried to the United States by visitors or immigrants. Brucellosis is also known as Cyprus fever, Gibraltar fever, Malta fever, Mediterranean fever, rock fever, or undulant fever.


Infection with Brucella species. Apart from isolation of the organism by blood culture, diagnosis may be effected by agglutination of a standard strain by the patient’s serum. In cattle the whey from milk may be used instead of serum. Conversely, in the Brucella ring test milk may agglutinate a haematoxylin- strained suspension of Br. abortus, giving a blue tinge to the cream layer. Brucellosis in animals may be controlled by the use of vaccines prepared with avirulent strains.


Disease caused by infection with a bacterium (Brucella species), obtained by association with infected livestock or their products and causing chills, weakness, headache, and recurring fever. Treatment includes bedrest and tetracyclines. Also called Malta fever; Mediterranean fever; undulant fever.


A rare disease that primarily affects dogs and may affect farm animals. While humans are resistant to the illness, there have been cases of human infection, which have generally occurred as a result of direct contact with infected animals. Brucellosis is most commonly transmitted by contact of infectious secretions with cuts or abrasions in the skin, inhaling the organisms from the vaginal discharge or aborted material of female animals, or by ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products.


A widespread, infectious disease affecting cattle, swine, and goats, and sometimes other animals and humans. Human infection occurs most commonly in ranchers, veterinarians, and people who consume unpasteurized dairy products. It is caused by bacteria of several Brucella species. B. melitensis and B. suis cause brucellosis in goats and swine, respectively, and B abortus causes contagious abortion in cattle, dogs, and other domestic animals. The organisms are intracellular parasites. Brucellosis is also known as Malta or Gibraltar fever. It produces an influenza-like illness, with fevers, chills, headache, and body aches. It is a rare cause of endocarditis.


Brucellosis is an uncommon bacterial infection caused by different strains of brucella, which can be transmitted to humans from infected cattle, goats, and pigs. Additionally, the infection can be contracted through the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.


Brucellosis manifests with symptoms such as high fever, excessive sweating, diminished appetite, joint aches, headache, backache, weakness, and depression. In rare cases where the infection remains untreated, it can progress to pneumonia or meningitis, involving inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Long-term brucellosis may present with recurring bouts of illness over months or even years, accompanied by severe depression. The disease is typically managed with antibiotic medications.


A widespread infection resulting from one of the species within the Brucella genus.


 


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