Chapter 14 - Brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is a global zoonotic disease with nonspecific clinical manifestations that may last from days to more than a year. It is often misdiagnosed, which results in inadequate therapy and protracted illness; prolonged combined antimicrobial treatment is required. Although brucellosis rarely is fatal, it can be severely debilitating and disabling. Of the recognized Brucella species, B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis are the leading causes of brucellosis in humans. Virulence mostly resides in its ability to enter, survive, and replicate within host cells. Brucellosis prevalence remains very high among ruminant livestock in many developing countries, and human infections result from the consumption of infectious raw milk and dairy products made from raw milk or direct exposure to infected livestock. Control of brucellosis in humans requires the pasteurization of milk and eradication from livestock.