Brucellosis

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."

Transmission

• 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.</ref>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.

Signs and Symptoms

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

• fever
• sweats
• malaise
• appetite loss
• headache
• pain in muscles, joints, and/or back
• fatigue

Persistent symptoms

• recurrent fevers
• arthritis
• swelling of the testicle and scrotum area
• swelling of the heart (endocarditis)
• neurologic symptoms (in up to 5% of all cases)
• chronic fatigue
• depression
• swelling of the liver and/or spleen

Risks

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

Treatment

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.

"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."

Learn more

• Brucellosis - CDC
• Brucellosis - WebMD

See also

• Brucella
• List of differential diagnoses for ME/CFS
• Differential diagnoses for ME/CFS