How is brucellosis transmitted between animals and humans. What are the main risk factors for contracting brucellosis. How can brucellosis be prevented and controlled effectively.

What is Brucellosis and Which Species Cause It?

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by various species of the genus Brucella. These bacteria primarily infect animals such as cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and dogs. The most common species affecting humans include:

• Brucella melitensis (mainly infects goats and sheep)
• Brucella abortus (primarily found in cattle)
• Brucella suis (infects pigs)
• Brucella canis (found in dogs)

While these bacteria have preferred animal hosts, they can sometimes infect other species as well. Of these, Brucella melitensis is considered the most virulent and is responsible for the majority of human brucellosis cases worldwide.

How is Brucellosis Transmitted to Humans?

Humans can contract brucellosis through several routes of transmission:

1. Direct contact with infected animals: This often occurs through cuts or abrasions in the skin when handling infected animal tissues, blood, urine, vaginal discharges, aborted fetuses, or placentas.
2. Consumption of contaminated animal products: Ingesting unpasteurized dairy products, especially milk and soft cheeses, from infected animals is a common source of infection.
3. Inhalation of contaminated aerosols: This can happen in laboratory settings or when working closely with infected animals in confined spaces.
4. Accidental self-inoculation with live animal vaccines: This is a risk for veterinarians and other animal health workers.

It’s important to note that human-to-human transmission of brucellosis is extremely rare. The disease is not generally considered contagious between people, although there have been isolated reports of transmission through organ transplantation, blood transfusion, and sexual contact.

What Are the Main Risk Factors for Contracting Brucellosis?

Several factors can increase an individual’s risk of contracting brucellosis:

• Occupational exposure: People working in close contact with animals or animal products are at higher risk. This includes farmers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, and laboratory personnel.
• Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products: This is particularly risky in areas where brucellosis is endemic in livestock.
• Travel to endemic areas: Visitors to regions where brucellosis is common may be exposed through local food products or animal contact.
• Hunting and butchering of infected animals: Wild animals can also carry Brucella bacteria, posing a risk to hunters and those handling game meat.
• Living in rural areas with high prevalence of infected animals: Close proximity to infected herds increases the chance of exposure.

Understanding these risk factors is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies and identifying high-risk populations for targeted interventions.

What Are the Symptoms and Health Impacts of Brucellosis?

Brucellosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, which may appear suddenly or develop gradually over several weeks. Common symptoms include:

• Fever (often undulant, rising and falling over time)
• Fatigue and weakness
• Joint and muscle pain
• Headaches
• Night sweats
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Abdominal pain

In some cases, brucellosis can lead to more severe complications affecting various organ systems:

Musculoskeletal System

Brucellosis can cause arthritis, particularly in large joints such as the sacroiliac, hip, and knee joints. It may also lead to osteomyelitis (bone infection) and spinal abscesses.

Cardiovascular System

Endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining, is a rare but serious complication that can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Nervous System

Neurological complications can include meningitis, encephalitis, and peripheral neuropathy.

Reproductive System

In pregnant women, brucellosis can cause miscarriage, especially during the first trimester. Men may experience epididymo-orchitis, an inflammation of the testicles and epididymis.

Due to its varied and non-specific symptoms, brucellosis is often misdiagnosed or overlooked, leading to delays in treatment and potential long-term health consequences. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential for managing the disease effectively.

How is Brucellosis Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosing brucellosis can be challenging due to its non-specific symptoms. However, several methods are used to confirm the infection:

Diagnostic Methods

• Blood cultures: This is the gold standard for diagnosis, but may take several weeks to yield results.
• Serological tests: These include the Rose Bengal test, serum agglutination test (SAT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): This molecular technique can provide rapid and specific diagnosis.
• Imaging studies: X-rays, CT scans, or MRI may be used to assess complications like bone or joint involvement.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment of brucellosis typically involves a combination of antibiotics taken for several weeks. The standard regimen includes:

• Doxycycline combined with rifampin for at least 6 weeks
• Alternatively, doxycycline for 6 weeks plus streptomycin for 2-3 weeks

For complicated cases or those involving the central nervous system, treatment duration may be extended, and additional antibiotics may be necessary. It’s crucial for patients to complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent relapse and the development of chronic brucellosis.

What Are the Global Epidemiology and Economic Impact of Brucellosis?

Brucellosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease, but its prevalence varies significantly between regions:

Geographical Distribution

• High prevalence: Middle East, Mediterranean region, Central and South America, Central Asia
• Moderate prevalence: Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Southeast Asia
• Low prevalence: North America, Northern Europe, Australia, New Zealand (where effective control measures are in place)

The true global burden of human brucellosis is likely underestimated due to underreporting and misdiagnosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are around 500,000 new human cases annually worldwide.

Economic Impact

Brucellosis has significant economic implications, affecting both public health and animal agriculture:

• Healthcare costs: Diagnosis, treatment, and management of complications in human cases
• Livestock losses: Reduced milk production, abortions, infertility, and culling of infected animals
• Trade restrictions: Countries may impose bans on livestock and animal products from regions with high brucellosis prevalence
• Productivity losses: Human infections can lead to prolonged illness and reduced work capacity

The economic burden of brucellosis is particularly heavy in low- and middle-income countries where the disease is endemic and control measures may be inadequate.

How Can Brucellosis Be Prevented and Controlled Effectively?

Preventing and controlling brucellosis requires a multifaceted approach targeting both animal and human health:

Animal Health Measures

• Vaccination of livestock: This is particularly important for young animals before sexual maturity
• Testing and culling of infected animals
• Proper disposal of infected animal products and aborted fetuses
• Quarantine of new animals before introducing them to herds
• Improved hygiene in animal husbandry practices

Food Safety Measures

• Pasteurization of milk and dairy products
• Proper cooking of meat products
• Education on the risks of consuming raw or unpasteurized animal products

Occupational Safety

• Use of personal protective equipment for those working with animals or in laboratories
• Implementation of biosafety measures in high-risk occupational settings
• Training and education for at-risk workers

Public Health Strategies

• Surveillance and reporting systems to monitor disease occurrence
• Public awareness campaigns about brucellosis risks and prevention
• Collaboration between veterinary and public health sectors (One Health approach)

Effective control of brucellosis in animals is the key to reducing human cases. Countries that have implemented comprehensive control programs, including animal vaccination and testing, have significantly reduced or eliminated the disease in both livestock and humans.

What Research and Innovations Are Underway to Combat Brucellosis?

Ongoing research and innovation efforts are focused on improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brucellosis:

Vaccine Development

Scientists are working on developing new and improved vaccines for both animals and humans. Current research includes:

• Subunit vaccines that can differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals
• DNA vaccines for more targeted immune responses
• Improved delivery systems for existing vaccines

Diagnostic Advancements

Efforts are being made to create more rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic tests:

• Development of point-of-care tests for field use
• Improvement of molecular diagnostic techniques
• Exploration of biomarkers for early detection and prognosis

Treatment Innovations

Research is ongoing to improve treatment outcomes and address antibiotic resistance:

• Investigation of new antibiotic combinations
• Development of targeted drug delivery systems
• Exploration of immunomodulatory therapies

Epidemiological Studies

Researchers are conducting studies to better understand the disease’s transmission dynamics and risk factors:

• Analysis of genomic data to track bacterial strains and their spread
• Assessment of climate change impacts on brucellosis distribution
• Evaluation of socio-economic factors influencing disease prevalence

These research efforts aim to provide new tools and strategies for more effective brucellosis control and ultimately reduce the global burden of this important zoonotic disease.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis

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• Brucellosis

ILRI/Stevie Mann

Villager and calf share milk from cow in Rajasthan, India

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Key facts

• Brucellosis is found globally and is a reportable disease in most countries
• The disease causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, weakness, malaise and weight loss
• Person-to-person transmission is rare
• Brucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by various Brucella species, which mainly infect cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by various Brucella species, which mainly infect cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs. Humans generally acquire the disease through direct contact with infected animals, by eating or drinking contaminated animal products or by inhaling airborne agents. Most cases are caused by ingesting unpasteurized milk or cheese from infected goats or sheep.

Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses transmitted by animals and in endemic areas, human brucellosis has serious public health consequences. Expansion of animal industries and urbanization, and the lack of hygienic measures in animal husbandry and in food handling, partly account for brucellosis remaining a public health hazard.

 

Who is at risk? 

Brucellosis is found globally and is a reportable disease in most countries. It affects people of all ages and both sexes. In the general population, most cases are caused by the consumption of raw milk or its derivatives such as fresh cheese. Most of these cases are from sheep and goat products.

The disease is also considered an occupational hazard for people who work in the livestock sector. People who work with animals and are in contact with blood, placenta, foetuses and uterine secretions have an increased risk of contracting the disease. This method of transmission primarily affects farmers, butchers, hunters, veterinarians and laboratory personnel.

Worldwide, Brucella melitensis is the most prevalent species causing human brucellosis, owing in part to difficulties in immunizing free-ranging goats and sheep.

Human-to-human transmission is very rare.

 

Prevention and control

Prevention of brucellosis is based on surveillance and the prevention of risk factors. The most effective prevention strategy is the elimination of infection in animals. Vaccination of cattle, goats and sheep is recommended in enzootic areas with high prevalence rates. Serological or other testing and culling can also be effective in areas with low prevalence. In countries where eradication in animals through vaccination or elimination of infected animals is not feasible, prevention of human infection is primarily based on raising awareness, food-safety measures, occupational hygiene and laboratory safety.

Pasteurization of milk for direct consumption and for creating derivatives such as cheese is an important step to preventing transmission from animals to humans. Education campaigns about avoiding unpasteurized milk products can be effective, as well as policies on its sale.

In agricultural work and meat-processing, protective barriers and correct handling and disposal of afterbirths, animal carcasses and internal organs is an important prevention strategy. 

 

Treatment and care

Brucellosis typically causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, weakness, malaise and weight loss. However, the disease may present in many atypical forms. In many patients the symptoms are mild and, therefore, the diagnosis may not be considered. The incubation period of the disease can be highly variable, ranging from 1 week to 2 months, but usually 2–4 weeks.

Treatment options include doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 45 days, plus streptomycin 1 g daily for 15 days. The main alternative therapy is doxycycline at 100 mg, twice a day for 45 days, plus rifampicin at 15mg/kg/day (600-900mg) for 45 days. Experience suggests that streptomycin may be substituted with gentamicin 5mg/kg/daily for 7–10 days, but no study directly comparing the two regimes is currently available. The optimal treatment for pregnant women, neonates and children under 8 is not yet determined; for children, options include trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) combined with an aminoglycoside (streptomycin, gentamycin) or rifampicin.

WHO response

WHO provides technical advice to member states through provision of standards, information and guidance for the management of brucellosis in humans and animals. The Organization works to support the coordination and sharing of information between the public health and animal health sectors. In collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Mediterranean Zoonoses Control Programme (MZCP), WHO supports countries in the prevention and management of the disease through the Global Early Warning System for Major Animal Diseases (GLEWS).  

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Surveillance | Brucellosis | CDC

• Case Definition
• Historic CDC Surveillance Data
• Case Reporting
• Case Notification
• Data Submission

Disease surveillance is a cornerstone of public health practice, enabling early detection, rapid characterization, and efficient response to public health threats like brucellosis. Healthcare providers and public health practitioners are key partners in effective brucellosis surveillance.

Brucellosis Case Definition

The brucellosis surveillance case definition, available at the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) site, provides a set of uniform criteria used to define the disease for public health surveillance. This definition enables public health officials to classify and count cases consistently across jurisdictions.

Historic CDC Surveillance Data

CDC maintains brucellosis surveillance data that are published weekly and annually. These data are available in the NNDSS notifiable infectious disease data tables data tables.

Case Reporting

Brucellosis is a reportable condition in all states and territories. Brucellosis cases must be reported to jurisdictions when identified by a healthcare provider, hospital, or laboratory. Specific reporting requirements – including who must report, how to report, and timing of report – may vary by jurisdiction.

Case Notification

Brucellosis is a nationally notifiable condition (NNC). In 2009, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)external icon developed criteria pdf icon[PDF – 44 KB] for timeliness of NNC case notifications. CSTE requests the following notifications pdf icon[PDF – 13 KB]external icon for confirmed or probable brucellosis cases, dependent on the situation:

Immediate, Urgent: Notification within 24 hours

• Notification criteria: In the event of multiple brucellosis cases, temporally or spatially clustered.
• What to do: The state/territorial epidemiologist (or delegate) should call the CDC Emergency Operations Center (EOC) within 24 hours of knowing the notification criteria are met.
• A CDC subject matter expert (SME) will call back within 4 hours and send written or email confirmation that the case notification was received by CDC.
• Electronic transmission to NNDSS should be completed by the next regularly scheduled transmission cycle (see Data Submission below).
  • Changes in case classification should also be submitted by the next regularly scheduled transmission cycle.

Following immediate, urgent notification:

• For subsequent epidemiologically linked cases: The state/territorial epidemiologist (or delegate) should directly notify the CDC staff who responded to the initial notification, rather than contacting the CDC EOC.
• If a patient is determined to meet case classification criteria during a discussion with CDC, additional notification to the CDC EOC is not needed.

Standard: Notification by electronic transmission

• Notification criteria: In the event of brucellosis cases that are NOT temporally or spatially clustered.
• Electronic transmission to NNDSS should be completed by the next regularly scheduled transmission cycle (see Data Submission).
  • Changes in case classification should also be submitted by the next regularly scheduled transmission cycle.

Data Submission

National-level monitoring of notifiable conditions helps protect the health of the nation. Information from surveillance notifications shared by health departments can be used to better understand disease occurrence, impacted populations, and appropriate prevention and response strategies.

If a patient meets probable or confirmed case criteria, CSTE requests that general information about the patient and disease be submitted to NNDSS using NETSS messages or the generic message mapping guide. For timeliness of electronic reporting, see Case Notification, above.

At this time, additional disease-specific (extended) data for brucellosis cases can be shared separately through the following channels:

• Brucellosis case report form (CRF)

The case report form is available in English as a fillable PDF form that can be completed electronically or can be printed and completed by hand. Completed forms can be emailed, faxed, or mailed to CDC.

Brucellosis Case Report Form pdf icon[PDF – 1086 KB, Print and Fillable PDF]

• Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch (BSPB) DCIPHER Portal

DCIPHER is a web-based data integration platform that is used by several CDC programs. CDC is now also using this platform for brucellosis surveillance, linking case data to CDC laboratory and NNDSS data.

DCIPHER features fillable forms, and point-and-click visualization and tabulation tools. These tools can be used by CDC and jurisdictions to rapidly aggregate and visualize case data, share visualizations and simple analyses, and link case data with other data sources to gain regional or national perspectives on outbreaks, other public health events, and surveillance.

Access to the BSPB DCIPHER portal is granted via SAMS credentialing. Options for data submission using DCIPHER include:

1. Direct entry into a web-based form, similar to the existing CRFs
2. Submission of a data extract from a jurisdictional surveillance system as a CSV file. Submitters can upload the CSV file directly into DCIPHER, via a SAMS folder, or send using another secure method

Jurisdictions may benefit from using the visualization and tabulation tools within DCIPHER, and can access the BSPB DCIPHER portal regardless of which method they choose to share disease-specific surveillance data.

To request DCIPHER access, for more information about the system, or if there are other surveillance-related questions, contact BSPB at [email protected].

Brucellosis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

In contact with animals or with thermally unprocessed products of animal origin, there is a risk of infection with brucellosis. This infectious disease affects many human organs and systems and easily becomes chronic with frequent relapses.

General information about infection

The causative agent of brucellosis is the bacterium Brucella, the main reservoir for which are domestic and wild animals and birds. Human infection occurs through contact with an infected animal. Ways of transmission of brucellosis – small wounds on the skin or mucous membranes, the digestive tract when eating animal products, the respiratory tract when inhaling air with infected dust.

Human infection is possible only from an animal. The existence of tick-borne brucellosis has not been proven – so far not a single case of transmission of this infection through tick bites has been recorded.

Brucella can be found not only in the body of animals, but also on their fur, in milk and even in frozen meat, as well as in the soil, where they enter with the feces of animals. The bacterium is excellently adapted to adverse conditions, remaining viable at low temperatures and in the absence of moisture from one and a half months to six months. However, it dies within half an hour when heated to 60 ° C, and when boiled, it is destroyed instantly. Therefore, eating animal products after heat treatment is completely safe.

Symptoms of disease

Between the penetration of bacteria into the body and the appearance of the first signs of brucellosis, at least a week passes, sometimes the incubation period lasts up to two months, but its most frequent duration is two weeks. Symptoms develop gradually and include:

• severe increase in body temperature up to 38-39°C, accompanied by chills and fever;
• increased sweating, especially during nocturnal sleep;
• a sharp decline in strength, a feeling of weakness;
• the appearance of pain in the joints of the limbs, tingling in different parts of the body.

The listed symptoms of brucellosis can be undulating in nature: gradually increase and intensify, then decrease and disappear for a while. The disease is systemic in nature and affects the human musculoskeletal system, nervous system and reproductive organs, provoking the development of concomitant ailments.

Pathogenesis

The development of brucellosis in humans goes through several stages.

1. Lymphogenic – bacteria penetrate the lymphatic system and occupy the lymph nodes with the lymph flow, without leading to their enlargement.
2. Hematogenous drift – having penetrated into the circulatory system, bacteria release toxins that act on nerve fibers through the blood.
3. Acute brucellosis – with the bloodstream, bacteria penetrate into the tissues of various organs, forming secondary foci of infection in the form of granulomas, and sometimes inflammatory abscesses.
4. Exofocal contamination – new foci of infection appear, an allergic reaction to unfavorable factors develops in the body, chronic brucellosis is formed, which lasts for several years with numerous relapses;
5. Residual effects – the final stage of the disease, which is characterized by deformation of bone tissue and joints, allergic manifestations and disorders of the nervous system, which are usually irreversible.

After the end of the disease, the patient develops temporary immunity, the duration of which is from six months to five years, after which the person can again become infected.

Infection detection

The technique for diagnosing brucellosis is well developed and is based on laboratory tests aimed at identifying the pathogen, which include:

• general blood test;
• biochemical blood test;
• bakposev biomaterials;
• serological examination;
• blood test for detection of antigens;
• PCR test for Brucella DNA;
• Brucella antibody testing.

In addition, to detect pathological changes in the patient’s body, ultrasound and x-ray studies of damaged organs may be needed.

How to treat brucellosis

Antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of acute brucellosis. When the disease becomes chronic, these drugs cease to be effective, immunoglobulins with anti-brucellosis antibodies and vaccines with killed bacteria have a much more pronounced effect. Supportive and strengthening therapy is important – ultraviolet irradiation sessions, taking vitamin complexes, etc. When an allergic reaction occurs, antiallergic drugs are prescribed. During the recovery period, a visit to balneological resorts with radon and sulfur-radon waters is shown.

How to prevent illness

Unfortunately, the development of an effective long-acting vaccine that prevents the development of infection in humans has proved impossible. However, subject to simple measures to prevent brucellosis, it is quite possible to avoid the disease. For this you need:

• boil or pasteurize milk before eating;
• avoid dry-cured meat products;
• observe hygiene rules, wash hands after contact with animals, agricultural workers wear protective gloves;
• to vaccinate livestock, since the brucellosis vaccine for animals has long been developed, and in countries that practice blanket vaccination of livestock, this disease has practically disappeared.

In case of contact with an infected animal, it is necessary to monitor the state of health for at least six months, periodically taking tests for the presence of bacteria in biomaterials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is brucellosis transmitted from person to person?

Medicine excludes the possibility of transferring brucellosis from person to person, since the bacterium cannot enter the body by airborne droplets or by contact. There are some data on the ways of brucellosis infection of infants through mother’s milk and fetus from a pregnant mother.

Why is brucellosis dangerous for humans?

Brucellosis is a severe infection, the main danger of which is the negative impact of the toxin released by bacteria on human organs and systems. The most common complications are endocarditis, the main cause of death from this infection, arthritis leading to deformity of the joints and bones, inflammation of the reproductive organs, liver and spleen, and infections of the nervous system.

Is there a cure for brucellosis today?

Modern medicine has the ability to completely cure patients with brucellosis, but only if the patient consults a doctor. Timely detection of the disease allows you to provide all the necessary assistance at an early stage and prevent the development of serious complications.

Brucellosis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Bang and Traum’s disease, Bruce’s septicemia, Mediterranean, goat, Crimean fever – all these intricate terms hide one socially significant infectious and allergic disease – brucellosis. How can you get infected, what are the symptoms of this infection, how to treat it? The answers to these and other questions about brucellosis are in our article.

A bit of history

The first information about brucellosis appeared in the middle of the 19th century thanks to the English military surgeon J. Marston. He studied sick soldiers on the island of Malta and drew attention to the fact that they all ate goat’s milk. A little later, in 1887, British Army physician David Bruce isolated the brucellosis pathogen from the spleen of five English soldiers who died of a fever. Initially, it was named the Maltese micrococcus, and later renamed in honor of the discoverer scientist in brucella.

The connection of the disease with animals was finally established in the course of research by D. Bruce and other scientists already at the beginning of the 20th century. By this time, three types of Brucella had been isolated. Currently, six types of the causative agent of brucellosis are known, four of which are extremely dangerous for humans.

Features of the causative agent of brucellosis

Microorganisms of the genus Brucella are gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to low temperatures, but do not “like” high temperatures at all: when boiled, brucella dies instantly, and when heated to 60 degrees Celsius – within half an hour. Serious enemies of bacteria are direct sunlight and disinfectants.

Despite their apparent vulnerability, bacteria have qualities that allow them to parasitize the body for a long time, depleting it. One of these qualities is the ability to transform into specific L- and S-forms under the influence of antibiotics and immune cells. This feature leads to a chronic process with the subsequent development of complications.

Brucella secrete substances that inhibit the activity of macrophages (cells-“defenders” that are involved in the capture and destruction of pathogenic microorganisms). This creates conditions for parasitizing Brucella inside the cells of the immune system. Endotoxin, released during the death and destruction of these bacteria, causes severe intoxication of the body and leads to metabolic disorders in it.

How do you get brucellosis?

The main distributors of brucellosis are goats, sheep, pigs, cows, although all types of domestic animals and birds are susceptible to the disease. Usually, infection occurs when eating dairy products and meat that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment.

The contact route of penetration of the pathogen into the human body through damaged skin or mucous membranes is not excluded – when interacting with the hair, bedding, food and water of an infected animal. This explains the high incidence of brucellosis among livestock workers (milkmaids, shepherds, veterinarians, livestock specialists) and people involved in the processing of livestock products.

Brucellosis can also be contracted by aerogenic means, if you comb out the hair from a sick animal or cut it.

A sick person does not pose a danger to others. The exception is infection of the fetus from an infected mother.

After pathogens enter the body, they are captured by macrophages, multiply in them and penetrate into the lymph nodes. From there, the bacteria spread throughout the body through the blood and lymph.

Symptoms of brucellosis

It is possible to assume the presence of the disease by a set of complaints such as excruciating pain in the joints (mainly in the legs) against the background of increased sweating, severe weakness, as well as wave-like fever (with a sharp rise and fall in body temperature).

The spread of the causative agent of brucellosis throughout the body causes systemic damage to almost all organs. Patients have pathologies of the musculoskeletal system in the form of monoarthritis, polyarthritis, osteomyelitis, myalgia. There are inflammatory processes in the heart, lungs, genitourinary system. The defeat of the central nervous system in brucellosis is expressed in the form of meningitis, encephalitis, abscesses in the brain, atrophy of the optic nerve.

Brucellosis is also characterized by lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes) and splenomegaly (enlarged spleen).

Diagnosis of brucellosis

Collection of complaints and anamnesis, examination is the first stage in the diagnosis of the infectious process. It is important to obtain information about whether the patient belongs to a risk group.

Isolation of bacteria is required to confirm the diagnosis. This is possible when a person has a blood test for brucellosis. The reaction of Coombs, Wright, RSK (complement fixation reaction), PCR diagnostics – these research methods make it possible to identify all forms of bacteria.

One of the easiest ways to diagnose an infection is the Berne skin test.

How and where is brucellosis treated?

The treatment of brucellosis consists of the following basic principles:

• measures aimed at combating the pathogen;
• elimination of pain syndrome;
• combating complications;
• rehabilitation.

Self-treatment for brucellosis is unacceptable. In the acute phase of the infectious process and with the development of complications, inpatient treatment is necessary. The selection of antibacterial and antiallergic drugs, physiotherapeutic procedures is carried out by the attending physician, depending on the phase and severity of the process, as well as the existing complications.

How to prevent infection with brucellosis?

To prevent infection, doctors recommend following a few simple principles:

• follow the rules of personal hygiene, especially when it comes to contact with domestic and farm animals;
• thoroughly wash and cook animal products;
• do not ignore the symptoms that appear and seek medical attention immediately.