Brucellosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
[[Brucellosis]] is an infectious disease that occurs from contact with animals carrying Brucella bacteria. | [[Brucellosis]] is an [[infectious disease]] that occurs from contact with [[animals]] carrying [[Brucella|''Brucella'']] [[bacteria]]. | ||
== What are the symptoms of Brucellosis? == | == What are the symptoms of Brucellosis? == | ||
Acute brucellosis may begin with mild [[flu]]-like symptoms, or symptoms such as: | [[Acute (medical)|Acute]] brucellosis may begin with mild [[flu]]-like [[symptoms]], or [[symptoms]] such as: | ||
* [[Abdominal pain]] | * [[Abdominal pain]] | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
* [[Weight loss]] | * [[Weight loss]] | ||
High fever spikes usually occur every afternoon. The name "undulant" fever is because the fever rises and falls in waves. | High [[fever]] spikes usually occur every afternoon. The name "undulant" [[fever]] is because the [[fever]] rises and falls in waves. | ||
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease: | Other [[symptoms]] that may occur with this [[disease]]: | ||
* [[Muscle pain]] | * [[Muscle pain]] | ||
* Swollen glands | * [[Lymphadenopathy|Swollen glands]] | ||
The illness may be chronic and last for years. | The illness may be [[Chronic (medical)|chronic]] and last for years. | ||
== What causes Brucellosis? == | == What causes Brucellosis? == | ||
* ''[[Brucella melitensis|Brucella]]'' can infect cattle, goats, camels, dogs, and pigs. The [[bacteria]] can spread to [[humans]] if you come in contact with [[infected]] meat or the [[placenta]] of [[infected]] [[animals]], or if you eat or drink unpasteurized milk or cheese. | |||
Brucella can infect cattle, goats, camels, dogs, and pigs. The [[bacteria]] can spread to humans if you come in contact with infected meat or the placenta of infected animals, or if you eat or drink unpasteurized milk or cheese. | * Brucellosis is rare in the United States. About 100 - 200 cases occur each year. | ||
Brucellosis is rare in the United States. About 100 - 200 cases occur each year. | |||
== Who is at highest risk? == | == Who is at highest risk? == | ||
People working in jobs where they often come in contact with animals or meat | * People working in jobs where they often come in contact with [[animals]] or meat such as slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and [[Veterinarian|veterinarians]], are at higher risk. | ||
== When to seek urgent medical care? == | == When to seek urgent medical care? == | ||
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== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
* Blood culture | * [[Blood culture]] | ||
* Bone marrow culture | * [[Bone marrow]] [[Culture medium|culture]] | ||
* Clean catch urine culture | * Clean catch [[urine culture]] | ||
* [[CSF]] culture | * [[CSF]] [[Culture medium|culture]] | ||
* Serology for brucellosis antigen | * Serology for brucellosis antigen | ||
This disease may also change the results of the following tests: | This [[disease]] may also change the results of the following tests: | ||
* Febrile/[[cold agglutinins]] | * Febrile/[[cold agglutinins]] | ||
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== Treatment options == | == Treatment options == | ||
* [[Antibiotics]] are used to treat the [[infection]] and [[Prevention (medical)|prevent]] it from coming back. Longer courses of therapy may be needed if there are [[complications]]. | |||
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection and prevent it from coming back. Longer courses of therapy may be needed if there are complications. | |||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
* Drinking and eating only pasteurized milk and cheeses is the most important way to [[Prevention (medical)|prevent]] brucellosis. People who handle meat should wear protective glasses and clothing and protect [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000043.htm skin breaks] from [[infection]]. | |||
Drinking and eating only pasteurized milk and cheeses is the most important way to prevent brucellosis. People who handle meat should wear protective glasses and clothing and protect [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000043.htm skin breaks] from infection. | * Detecting infected animals controls the infection at its source. Vaccination is available for cattle, but not humans. | ||
Detecting infected animals controls the infection at its source. Vaccination is available for cattle, but not humans. | |||
== Where to find medical care for Brucellosis? == | == Where to find medical care for Brucellosis? == | ||
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== What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)? == | == What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)? == | ||
Relapses may occur, and symptoms may continue for years. As with tuberculosis, the illness can come back after a long period of time. | [[Relapse|Relapses]] may occur, and [[symptoms]] may continue for years. As with [[tuberculosis]], the illness can come back after a long period of time. | ||
== Possible complications == | == Possible complications == | ||
* Bone and | * Bone and [[Arthralgia|joint sores]] (lesions) | ||
* [[Encephalitis]] | * [[Encephalitis]] | ||
* [[Infective endocarditis]] | * [[Infective endocarditis]] | ||
Revision as of 20:21, 5 February 2016
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Brucellosis |
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Brucellosis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Brucellosis is an infectious disease that occurs from contact with animals carrying Brucella bacteria.
What are the symptoms of Brucellosis?
Acute brucellosis may begin with mild flu-like symptoms, or symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Chills
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Weight loss
High fever spikes usually occur every afternoon. The name "undulant" fever is because the fever rises and falls in waves.
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
The illness may be chronic and last for years.
What causes Brucellosis?
- Brucella can infect cattle, goats, camels, dogs, and pigs. The bacteria can spread to humans if you come in contact with infected meat or the placenta of infected animals, or if you eat or drink unpasteurized milk or cheese.
- Brucellosis is rare in the United States. About 100 - 200 cases occur each year.
Who is at highest risk?
- People working in jobs where they often come in contact with animals or meat such as slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and veterinarians, are at higher risk.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:
- You develop symptoms of brucellosis
- Your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment
- You develop new symptoms
Diagnosis
- Blood culture
- Bone marrow culture
- Clean catch urine culture
- CSF culture
- Serology for brucellosis antigen
This disease may also change the results of the following tests:
- Febrile/cold agglutinins
- Quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)
- Serum immunoelectrophoresis
Treatment options
- Antibiotics are used to treat the infection and prevent it from coming back. Longer courses of therapy may be needed if there are complications.
Prevention
- Drinking and eating only pasteurized milk and cheeses is the most important way to prevent brucellosis. People who handle meat should wear protective glasses and clothing and protect skin breaks from infection.
- Detecting infected animals controls the infection at its source. Vaccination is available for cattle, but not humans.
Where to find medical care for Brucellosis?
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Relapses may occur, and symptoms may continue for years. As with tuberculosis, the illness can come back after a long period of time.
Possible complications
- Bone and joint sores (lesions)
- Encephalitis
- Infective endocarditis
- Meningitis