Brucellosis

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by microorganisms of the genus Brucella. It is considered a zoonosis, a disease typical of domestic animals - such as cows, sheep, goats and pigs - that can be transmitted to man. Brucella passes to man from livestock through direct contact with infected animals (inhalation, contact through wounds, nasal and conjunctival mucosa) and, above all, through the ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products (milk, cheese and dairy products) .

• It is transmitted by the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and by direct contact with infected animals.
• Fever, tiredness, headache, and joint and muscle pain are the most frequent symptoms.
• Treatment is long-term and is based on the use of specific antibiotics.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of brucellosis can be very varied, since Brucella can affect any organ or tissue of the body.

The incubation period usually ranges in most cases between 10 and 20 days, after which initial general symptoms usually appear consisting of fever, fatigue, sweating, headache, and joint and muscle pain.

Enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) is quite common, often accompanied by an enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) and swollen glands (adenopathy).

Localized manifestations appear due to the specific involvement of a certain organ or tissue. The most frequent is the osteoarticular location (sacrum, spine), it can also appear in neurological (meningitis), cardiovascular (endocarditis), genitourinary (orchiepididymitis), respiratory and ocular (uveitis), among others.

Recurrences of the disease can occur in a percentage of patients, even if they have been correctly treated, who present with symptoms similar to the first episode.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on the clinical picture (symptoms), epidemiological history (previous contact with animals or unpasteurized dairy products) and a series of laboratory tests.

These laboratory tests are aimed at detecting the bacteria in blood: blood culture and detection of antibodies against the bacteria: serology (Rose Bengal and Coombs test).

Sometimes other tests are necessary to detect if there are localized sources of infection in an organ, for example a CT scan, a bone X-ray or an echocardiogram.

Treatment

The treatment of brucellosis is based on the use of specific antibiotics to eradicate the disease. The objective of it, in addition to shortening the initial symptoms, is to avoid the appearance of complications in the different organs and to prevent recurrences.

Treatment should be prolonged, preferably with a combination of antibiotics, for a minimum of six weeks. Correct completion of treatment by the patient is very important.

In addition to the specific treatment of brucellosis, when there is involvement of a specific organ, other additional treatments may be required such as surgery to drain an abscess in the liver or brain (collection of pus) or repair a heart valve.

Prevention

Prevention has to be carried out, first of all, on livestock by vaccinating the animals and appropriate veterinary control for the detection and elimination of infected animals.

People at risk (due to the work performed), such as farmers, should use gloves, masks and gowns as protective measures against exposure to blood and secretions of potentially infected animals.

On the other hand, you should not consume milk or other dairy products without having undergone the relevant sanitation measures (pasteurization).