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Also known as: '''''Undulant Fever - Gibralter Fever'''''
== Introduction ==
Brucellosis in humans is caused by the ''[[Brucella abortus]]'', ''[[Brucella ovis|B. ovis]]'', ''[[Brucella suis|B. suis]]'' or ''[[Brucella melitensis|B. melitensis]]'' bacteria. Transmission occurs via contact with secretions from infected animals or by ingestion and inhalation or the organism.
Brucellosis in humans is usually associated with eating unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses made from the milk of infected animals, primarily goats, infected with ''Brucella melitensis'' and with occupational exposure of laboratory workers, veterinarians and slaughterhouse workers. Some vaccines used in livestock also cause disease in humans if accidentally injected.
== Clinical Signs ==
Brucellosis causes fluctuating fevers, sweating, weakness, anaemia, headaches, depression, osteomyelitis and muscular and bodily pain and can become chronic.
The symptoms are like those associated with many other febrile diseases, but with emphasis on muscular pain and sweating. The sweat is said to have a characteristic smell of wet hay. The duration of the disease can vary from a few weeks to many months or even years and has been known to cause high levels of suicide in the veterinary proffession.
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Area of the world (if Brucellosis is endemic), knowledge of contact with animals, carcasses or milk products and clinical signs.
Area of the world (if Brucellosis is endemic), knowledge of contact with animals, carcasses or milk products and clinical signs.
definitive diagnosis can be achieved by demonstration of the agent: blood cultures in tryptose broth, bone marrow cultures. The growth of ''brucellae'' is extremely slow and the culture poses a risk to laboratory personnel due to high infectivity.
Antibodies against the agent can be demonstrated either with the classic Huddleson, Wright and/or Bengal Rose reactions, [[ELISA testing|ELISA]] or the 2-mercaptoethanol assay for IgM antibodies associated with chronic disease. Histologic evidence of granulomatous hepatitis (hepatic biopsy) can also be seen microscopically.
Radiographs can also be performed to assess for alterations in infected vertebrae: the Pedro Pons sign (preferential erosion of antero-superior corner of lumbar vertebrae) and marked osteophytosis are suspicious of brucellic spondylitis.
== Treatment and prevention ==
== Treatment and Prevention ==
Antibiotics like tetracyclines, rifampicin and the aminoglycosides streptomycin and gentamicin are effective against Brucella bacteria.
Antibiotics like tetracyclines, rifampicin and the aminoglycosides streptomycin and gentamicin are effective against ''Brucella'' bacteria.
The gold standard treatment for adults is daily intramuscular injections of streptomycin and oral doxycycline. Gentamicin by intramuscular injection once daily for seven days is an acceptable substitute when streptomycin is not available or difficult to obtain.
The gold standard treatment for adults is daily intramuscular injections of streptomycin and oral doxycycline. Gentamicin by intramuscular injection once daily for seven days is an acceptable substitute when streptomycin is not available or difficult to obtain.
The main way of preventing brucellosis is by using fastidious hygiene in producing raw milk products, or by pasteurizing all milk that is to be ingested by humans. <br>
The main way of preventing brucellosis is by using fastidious hygiene in producing raw milk products, or by pasteurizing all milk that is to be ingested by humans.
== References<br> ==
== References ==
Quinn, P.J., Markey, B.K., Carter, M.E., Donnelly, W.J., Leonard, F.C. (2007) Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease Blackwell Publishing<br>
Quinn, P.J., Markey, B.K., Carter, M.E., Donnelly, W.J., Leonard, F.C. (2007) Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease Blackwell Publishing
Radostits, O.M, Arundel, J.H, and Gay, C.C. (2000) Veterinary Medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses Elsevier Health Sciences<br>
Radostits, O.M, Arundel, J.H, and Gay, C.C. (2000) Veterinary Medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses Elsevier Health Sciences
"Diagnosis and Management of Acute Brucellosis in Primary Care". Brucella Subgroup of the Northern Ireland Regional Zoonoses Group. August 2004<br>
"Diagnosis and Management of Acute Brucellosis in Primary Care". Brucella Subgroup of the Northern Ireland Regional Zoonoses Group. August 2004
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