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Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases
Brucellosis
Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Brucellosis in children commonly is
a mild self-limited disease compared with the more chronic disease
in adults. However, in areas where
Brucella melitensis is the
endemic species, disease can be severe. Onset of illness can
be acute or insidious. Manifestations are nonspecific and include
fever, night sweats, weakness, malaise, anorexia, weight loss,
arthralgia, myalgia, abdominal pain, and headache. Physical
findings include lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and occasionally,
arthritis. Serious complications include meningitis, endocarditis,
and osteomyelitis.
ETIOLOGY: Brucella species are small, nonmotile, gram-negative
coccobacilli. The species that infect humans are
Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, and rarely,
Brucella canis.
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of wild and
domestic animals. Humans are accidental hosts, contracting the
disease by direct contact with infected animals or their carcasses
or secretions or by ingesting unpasteurized milk or milk products.
People in occupations such as farming, ranching, and veterinary
medicine as well as abattoir workers, meat inspectors, and laboratory
personnel are at increased risk. Infection is transmitted by
inoculation through cuts and abrasions in the skin, inhalation
of contaminated aerosols, contact with the conjunctival mucosa,
or oral ingestion. Approximately 100 to 200 cases of brucellosis
occur annually in the United States, with
. . . [Go to Full Text]
Related text in Red Book:
- Introduction
Red Book
2006: 735.
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