Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans through contact with infected fluids or consumption of unpasteurized dairy. It is prevalent worldwide including Bangladesh. The most common species affecting humans is B. melitensis from goats and sheep. Symptoms in humans include fever, night sweats, joint pain and fatigue. Confirmatory diagnosis is made through laboratory tests. Treatment involves antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin.

1. Brucellosis
Dr. Md. Mushtaq Wadud
DVM, MS (HSTU), CT (Chennai)

2. Introduction
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection transmitted to
humans contact with fluids from infected
animals (sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, or other
animals) derived food products such as
unpasteurized milk and cheese . The disease is
rarely, if ever, transmitted between humans.

3. Epidemiology
• The disease is prevalent in most countries of
the world including Bangladesh. Brucellosis
occurs worldwide; major endemic areas
include countries of the Mediterranean basin,
Arabian Gulf, the Indian subcontinent, and
parts of Mexico, Central and South America.
• Human Infection. melitensis is the species
that infects humans most frequently.

4. Epidemiology
• The incubation period ranges
from a few days to a few months.
• Organisms are shed in milk for a
variable length of time in most
cattle for life.
• The disease is manifested as
fever accompanied by a wide
array of other symptoms.

5. Etiology
Brucella are Gram-negative coccobacilli that are
aerobic nonmotile and non capsulated. The
disease in several species is caused by-
Bacteria Species
Brucella abortus Cattle
Brucella melitensis Sheep and goat
Brucella ovis Sheep
Brucella canis Dog
Brucella suis Pig

6. Transmission
• Brucellosis is transmitted to humans by contact with
fluids from infected animals (sheep, cattle, goats,
pigs, or other animals) or derived food products such
as unpasteurized milk and cheese.
• It is one of the most widespread zoonoses
worldwide.
• Brucellosis has high morbidity both for humans and
animals; it is an important cause of economic loss
and a public health problem in many developing
countries.

8. Brucella abortus
• Principal host - cattle
• Eradication of B. abortus
from cattle is nearly
complete in the U.S., but
the disease still occurs in
some wild bison and elk
herds in the western
U.S.

9. Brucella melitensis
• Principal hosts - goats and
sheep
• Most pathogenic in humans
• Sporadic cases in humans in
the U.S. occur related to
consumption of
unpasteurized dairy products
from countries where the
disease is present.

10. Brucella canis
• Principal host – Dog
• Individuals who are in
close contact with dogs,
or breeders/veterinary
staff who assist with
birthing are at risk of
becoming infected.
• CDC does not currently
perform serological
testing for Brucella
canis.

11. Clinical Manifestation
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Malaise
• Anorexia
• Arthralgia
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Depression

12. Clinical Findings
• Late abortion during last trimester.
Aborted foetus either alive or dead
with or without hair coat and
retained placenta.
• Abortion (usually 5 the month of
pregnancy) is the most obvious
manifestation, where placenta will
come out with foetus.
• Infections may also cause still born
or weak calves, retained placenta
and reduce milk yield.

13. • Seminal vesicles, ampullae, testicles and epididymides
may be infected in bulls; therefore, organisms are present
in the semen.
• Testicular abscesses may occur.
• Longstanding infections may result in arthritic joints in
some cattle.
Clinical Findings

14. Differential Diagnosis
• Tuberculosis
• Toxoplasmosis
• CMV
• HIV infection

15. Confirmatory Diagnosis
Confirmatory Diagnosis is done by laboratory and
serological examination.

16. Treatment
1. Tetravet-
100/Genta-10/SP-
Vet
2. Astavet
3. Keto-A Vet
4. Dirovet
5. Normal Saline
6. 0.01% Potassium
permanganate