Brucellosis
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
What is brucellosis?
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria of
the genus Brucella. These bacteria are primarily passed among
animals, and they cause disease in many different vertebrates.
Various Brucella species affect sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk,
pigs, dogs, and several other animals. Humans become infected by
coming in contact with animals or animal products that are
contaminated with these bacteria. In humans brucellosis can cause
a range of symptoms that are similar to the flu and may include
fever, sweats, headaches, back pains, and physical weakness.
Sever infections of the central nervous systems or lining of the
heart may occur. Brucellosis cab also cause long-lasting or
chronic symptoms that include recurrent fevers, joint pain, and
fatigue.
How common is brucellosis?
Brucellosis is not very common in the United States, where100
to 200 cases occur each year. But brucellosis can be very common
in countries where animal disease control programs have not
reduced the amount of disease among animals.
Where is brucellosis usually found?
Although brucellosis can be found worldwide, it is more common
in countries that do not have good standardized and effective
public health and domestic animal health programs. Areas
currently listed as high risk are the Mediterranean Basin
(Portugal, Spain, Southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, North
Africa), South and Central America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa,
the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Unpasteurized cheeses,
sometimes called "village cheeses," from these areas
may represent a particular risk for tourists.
How is brucellosis transmitted to humans, and who is likely
to become infected?
Humans are generally infected in one of three ways: eating or
drinking something that is contaminated with Brucella, breathing
in the organism (inhalation), or having the bacteria enter the
body through skin wounds. The most common way to be infected is
by eating or drinking contaminated milk products. When sheep,
goats, cows, or camels are infected, their milk is contaminated
with the bacteria. If the milk is not pasteurized, these bacteria
can be transmitted to persons who drink the milk or eat cheeses
made it. Inhalation of Brucella organisms is not a common route
of infection, but it can be a significant hazard for people in
certain occupations, such as those working in laboratories where
the organism is cultured. Inhalation is often responsible for a
significant percentage of cases in abattoir employees.
Contamination of skin wounds may be a problem for persons working
in slaughterhouses or meat packing plants or for veterinarians.
Hunters may be infected through skin wounds or by accidentally
ingesting the bacteria after cleaning deer, elk, moose, or wild
pigs that they have killed.
Can brucellosis be spread from person to person?
Direct person-to-person spread of brucellosis is extremely
rare. Mothers who are breast-feeding may transmit the infection
to their infants. Sexual transmission has also been reported. For
both sexual and breast-feeding transmission, if the infant or
person at risk is treated for brucellosis, their risk of becoming
infected will probably be eliminated within 3 days. Although
uncommon, transmission may also occur via contaminated tissue
transplantation.
Is there a way to prevent infection?
Yes. Do not consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, or ice cream
while traveling. If you are not sure that the dairy product is
pasteurized, don't eat it. Hunters and animal herdsman should use
rubber gloves when handling viscera of animals. There is no
vaccine available for humans.
My dog has been diagnosed with brucellosis. Is that a risk
for me?
B. canis is the species of Brucella species that can infect
dogs. This species has occasionally been transmitted to humans,
but the vast majority of dog infections do not result in human
illness. Although veterinarians exposed to blood of infected
animals are at risk, pet owners are not considered to be at risk
for infection. This is partly because it is unlikely that they
will come in contact with blood, semen, or placenta of the dog.
The bacteria may be cleared from the animal within a few days of
treatment; however re-infection is common and some animal body
fluids may be infectious for weeks. Immunocompromised persons
(cancer patients, HIV-infected individuals, or transplantation
patients) should not handle dogs known to be infected with B.
canis.
How is brucellosis diagnosed?
Brucellosis is diagnosed in a laboratory by finding Brucella
organisms in samples of blood or bone marrow. Also, blood tests
can be done to detect antibodies against the bacteria. If this
method is used, two blood samples should be collected 2 weeks
apart.
Is there a treatment for brucellosis?
Yes, but treatment can be difficult. Doctors can prescribe
effective antibiotics. Usually, doxycycline and rifampin are used
in combination for 6 weeks to prevent reoccuring infection.
Depending on the timing of treatment and severity of illness,
recovery may take a few weeks to several months. Mortality is low
(<2%), and is usually associated with endocarditis.
I am a veterinarian, and I recently accidentally jabbed
myself with the animal vaccine (RB-51 or B-19, or REV-1) while I
was vaccinating cows (or sheep, goats). What do I need to do?
These are live vaccines, and B-19 is known to cause disease in
humans. Although we know less about the other vaccines, the
recommendations are the same. You should see a health care
provider. A baseline blood sample should be collected for testing
for antibodies. We recommend that you take antibiotics
(doxycycline and rifampin for B-19 and REV-1, or doxycycline
alone for RB-51) for 3 weeks. At the end of that time you should
be rechecked and a second blood sample should be collected. (The
sample can also be collected at 2 weeks.) The same
recommendations hold true for spraying vaccine in the eyes (6
weeks of treatment in this case) or spraying onto open wounds on
the skin.
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