Animals are infected when the organism gains entry to the body at mucus membranes: vaginal, oral and conjunctival. Macrophages then phagocytose ''B. canis'' which targets lymphoid and genital tissue. A transient lymphoid hyperplasia and hyperglobinemia develop in the early stages of infection followed by a bactereamia 1-4 weeks post initial infection which can persist for up to 5 years. Brucellosis is transmitted by females at oestrus, breeding, post abortion, transplacentaly and is shed in urine, faeces and milk. Males shed the organism in semen for up to 2 years and in urine for up to 3 months. A cell mediated immune response is needed to clear the organism, however non-protective antibody may develop which complicates diagnosis and treatment of the disease. | Animals are infected when the organism gains entry to the body at mucus membranes: vaginal, oral and conjunctival. Macrophages then phagocytose ''B. canis'' which targets lymphoid and genital tissue. A transient lymphoid hyperplasia and hyperglobinemia develop in the early stages of infection followed by a bactereamia 1-4 weeks post initial infection which can persist for up to 5 years. Brucellosis is transmitted by females at oestrus, breeding, post abortion, transplacentaly and is shed in urine, faeces and milk. Males shed the organism in semen for up to 2 years and in urine for up to 3 months. A cell mediated immune response is needed to clear the organism, however non-protective antibody may develop which complicates diagnosis and treatment of the disease. |