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Brucellosis
Medical Questions » Brucellosis
| Name: Brucellosis |
| Also known as: Undulant Fever |
| An infection of cattle, goats and pigs, which can spread to man, and most commonly infects meat workers, veterinarians and farmers. Causes pregnant cattle to miscarry, and can spread rapidly through a herd. |
Causes of Brucellosis
The bacteria Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis or other species of Brucella, enter a human through a cut or graze in the skin, or is swallowed. Found in raw meat and unprocessed milk. |
Symptoms of Brucellosis
Fever, tiredness and intermittent sweats occur initially. After several weeks further symptoms of headache, swollen painful joints, loss of appetite and abdominal pains (from a large spleen and/or liver) develop. The fever may come and go for many months in a low-grade chronic form of the disease (thus undulant fever). |
Tests for Brucellosis
Specific blood tests are diagnostic. |
Treatment for Brucellosis
Antibiotics (eg. tetracycline) and rest until all symptoms have settled. Animals may be vaccinated to prevent them from catching the disease, but not humans.
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Complications of Brucellosis of its treatment
Occasionally may involve the lung, brain and heart, causing specific problems in those areas. Long-term complications include arthritis, and bone weakness. |
Likely Outcome of Brucellosis
Good response to treatment, but may recur over several years and require further courses of treatment. |
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