What is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis is an infectious disease that is transmitted to humans from animals or from humans to non-human animals by ingesting the unsterilized milk or meat from animals infected with the Brucella bacteria or even just mere contact with these animals.
The following are the four most common Brucella bacteria that affect humans:
Brucella Abortus
This species of bacteria cause brucellosis in cattle. Pregnant cattle that have lesser levels of anti-Brucella activity in the amniotic fluid are predisposed to Brucella infection and lead to increased incidence of abortion
Brucella Canis
- These known bacteria are the agent in the development of brucellosis in dogs. Dogs can transmit the Brucella bacteria to humans who come in contact with contaminated aborted tissues and urine of infected dogs.
- The common symptoms associated with brucellosis in dogs are abortions in female dogs and inflamed scrotum and testicles for male dogs. In addition, it can also cause eye infection and pain and weakness secondary to infection of the intervertebral disc
Brucella Suis
This bacteria cause infection in pigs; therefore hog products, which are common in the market, can pose harm to consumers
Brucella melitensis
These bacteria affect goats, sheep, and camels, which are known to produce considerable amount of products like cheese, meat, even a form of transportation. In many ways, it is always possible for humans to come in contact with them.
Humans can be infected with this disease when they come in contact with or ingest the products of these animals that are infected with the Brucella bacteria. Of the four common species of bacteria that cause brucellosis in humans, Brucella melitensis are the most prevalent.
Brucellosis Symptoms
It is believed that the signs and symptoms of this disease are slow developing; however, some people have also developed long-term chronic symptoms.
- Fever – this is the most common finding. This can also be called “undulated” fever because of its inconsistent characteristics of having episodes of high and low fever. High fever is usually observed in the afternoon
- Body aches
- Sweating
- Joint pain
- Abdominal and back pain
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dizziness and headache
- Depression
- Irritable
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Breathing difficulties
Brucellosis Treatment
The use of antibiotic for a full six-week therapy is the most practical treatment of brucellosis. The antibiotic drugs commonly used include the following:
- Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
- Streptomycin
- Rifampin (Rifadin)
- Gentamicin (Garamycin)
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)
Of course, it is imperative to stick to the regimen to come up with beneficial results and to prevent further disease progression and complications such as bone and joint soreness, encephalitis, meningitis, heart valve infection, pneumonia, and ocular problems like optic neuritis and uveitis.
Brucellosis Test
There are exams and tests used to help in establishing diagnosis of this disease:
Blood culture
This test will confirm the presence or absence of the bacteria in the body and the kind of bacteria that have brought the infection.
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Bone marrow culture
These soft tissues that are inside the long bones of the human body produce red blood cells. Bone marrow sample can also verify if certain bacteria have found their way inside the body.
Urine culture
Clean catch urine culture is the method used of getting urine sample to prevent germs from nearby structures from contaminating the sample.
CSF culture
This is used to help identify the source of the infection that may have caused damage to the brain and the central nervous system.
Brucella Antibody Test or Titer
Blood is drawn are tested in the laboratory for possible antibodies. The serum agglutination test (SAT) is the most widely used method for Brucella. If the test comes out positive for antibodies, then the patient is likely to be exposed to the Brucella bacteria.
Brucellosis Diagnosis
Diagnosis of brucellosis can be a bit tough because its signs and symptoms follow the same flulike symptoms associated with other diseases. Doctors can pin down the exact diagnosis of the disease by complete blood work to verify the presence of infection in the blood and what kind of bacteria have infected the host. Additional tests support the diagnosis can also be done, such as the following:
Radiographic tests – x-rays can determine any changes in the structure of the bones and joints that may cause joint pain
Computerized Tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – since soft tissues cannot be seen though simple x-rays, these two more advanced tests can identify inflammation or abscess anywhere in the body, most especially the brain
Echocardiography – this test assesses the sound waves and creates a graphical representation of the heart’s function and check for infection
Electrocardiogram – this is a diagnostic tool that records the electrical activity of the heart. In the presence of infection, there will be resultant abnormality in the heart waves and can be seen in the EG tracings
Lumbar Tap – this is a diagnostic procedure used to collect CSF sample in a case of infection
This condition may show common and simple symptoms, but if you come to think of it, the complications this may cause are very serious. That is why it is imperative to prevent the occurrence of this infectious disease. The only way to stop the spread of this disease is to control the growth of these bacteria in their host like cattle, sheep, dogs, pigs, etc. This way, the transmission of bacteria to humans can also be prevented if not totally eradicated.
