Brucellosis

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria brucella. It is a zoonotic disease which means people usually get the disease when they are in contact with infected animals or animal products contaminated with the bacteria. Animals that are most commonly infected include sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and dogs, among others."[1]

Transmission[edit | edit source]

  • Consuming unpasteurized/raw dairy products from infected sheep, goats, cows or camels including raw milk or "village cheeses" is the main cause of brucellosis in humans.[2]</ref>[1]Pasteurization will kill the bacteria in the milk.
  • Inhalation of the bacteria which can happen in some work places. Laboratories where people are working with the bacteria and employees working in slaughterhouses and meat-packing plants can become exposed to the bacteria and ultimately become infected.
  • Entering through skin wounds or mucous membranes from contact with infected animals. Someone who works with animals can come in contact with an infected animal or animal excretions (newborns animals, fetuses, and excretions that may result from birth). Slaughterhous workers, meat-packing plant employees and Veterinarians could be at risk.
  • People who hunt could also be at risk. When they are in contact with infected animals, exposure to the bacteria may occur through:
  • skin wounds
  • accidentally ingesting undercooked meat
  • inhaling the bacteria while dressing their game. Commonly infected animals include: bison, elk, caribou, moose and wild hogs (feral swine).

Person-to-person spread of brucellosis is extremely rare. Infected mothers who are breast-feeding may transmit the infection to their infants. Sexual transmission has been rarely reported. While uncommon, transmission may also occur via tissue transplantation or blood transfusions.[1][3]

Signs and Symptoms[edit | edit source]

It is the signs and symptoms that may lead to an incorrect diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and vice versa. Brucellosis can cause a range of signs and symptoms, particularly flu-like symptoms, some of which may present for prolonged periods of time.

Initial symptoms

Persistent symptoms

Risks[edit | edit source]

Risk factors are: where one lives, occupation (working with animals), unpasteurized dairy, infected mother spreading to baby through breastfeeding, hunters.[4]

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Tests for bacteria in samples of blood, bone marrow, or other body fluids. A blood test can be performed to detect antibodies against the bacteria. A combination of antibiotics is the primary treatment.[2]

"Depending on the timing of treatment and severity of illness, recovery may take a few weeks to several months. Death from brucellosis is rare, occurring in no more than 2% of all cases."[5]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Centers for Disease Control (May 2, 2024). "About Brucellosis". Centers for Disease Control. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  2. 2.0 2.1 WebMD (December 2, 2022). "Brucellosis". WebMD. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  3. "Transmission | Brucellosis". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 8, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  4. "Brucellosis - Exposure". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 8, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  5. "Brucellosis | Treatment". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 8, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.