General Information About Brucellosis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the Brucella genus, generally passing from animals to humans, and progressing with systemic symptoms.
The disease is most commonly transmitted through the consumption of raw (unpasteurized or unboiled) milk, cheese, and butter. Furthermore, farmers and veterinarians who handle the meat, blood, or body fluids of infected animals with bare hands are also at risk.
Direct person-to-person transmission (contact) of the Brucella bacterium is extremely rare. The main source of transmission is animal products.
The most typical symptom is 'undulating fever', which rises in the afternoon and falls towards morning. This is accompanied by night sweats, severe muscle/joint pains, loss of appetite, weight loss, and chronic fatigue.
The diagnosis of the disease is definitively made through serological tests looking for antibodies produced against the bacteria in the blood (Rose Bengal, Wright agglutination) and culture tests where the bacteria are grown from blood or bone marrow.
To prevent the disease from relapsing (recurring) and becoming chronic, a single antibiotic is not enough. Generally, two different antibiotics must be used continuously for at least 6 weeks.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
