Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Definition
Brucellosis is an infectious disease. It is happen due to the bacteria name as Brucella. Brucellosis is named after its bacterial cause. Due to this bacteria we causes rising and falling (undulant) fevers, sweats, malaise, weakness, anorexia, headache, myalgia (muscle pain) and back pain is called brucellosis.
It is also called undulant fever because the fever is typically undulant, rising and falling like a wave. A disease of domestic animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs, that is caused by brucellae and sometimes results in spontaneous abortions in newly infected animals.
Causes
Brucellosis is spread through contaminated and untreated milk and milk products and it is also cause by direct contact with infected animals and animal carcasses. If a human being comes closer to the infected animals then there is also a chance of spreading brucellosis. Actually brucellosis spread of the skin of animals and then it goes to humans.
Humans are generally infected by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with Brucella, breathing in the organism (inhalation), or having the bacteria enter the body through skin wounds. The most common way to be infected is by eating or drinking contaminated milk products.
The ultimate prevention of human Brucellosis rests with the elimination of the disease from animals.
Other potential sources of infection include goats sheep (B.melitensis) and pigs (B.suis). The principal symptom in all animal species is abortion.
Symptoms
The symptom of brucellosis is very from wildlife and humans. Some list of symptoms of brucellosis of wildlife and humans are given below- Wildlife:
- Wildlife may not show signs of the disease and instead appear healthy.
- Signs of disease in infected animals vary according to species but are primarily found in the reproductive tracts of both sexes, these include:
- Inflammation of the testicles or uterus
- Retained placentas
- Abortion may occur during late pregnancy; calves that are born may be weak.
- Less commonly, infection with Brucella bacteria may cause arthritis, formation of abscesses in lymph nodes , and inflammation of mammary tissue.
Humans:
- Disease begins within a week or up to several months after exposure.
- Chills
- Profuse sweating
- Weakness and fatigue
- Joint pain
- Brucella bacteria localize in the lymph nodes and spleen.
Treatment
Tetracycline or tetracycline plus streptomycin are the treatment of choice. Recommended therapy is a combination of doxycycline and rifampicin for six weeks. An alternative regimen is doxycycline for six weeks with streptomycin for the first two weeks. Early diagnosis leading to prompt treatment is essential to prevent chronic infection.
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