Brucella
Background
Brucella are gram negative coccobacilli and is a zoonosis that causes brucellosis (also known as undulant fever, mediterranean fever, or malta fever). They are facultative intracellular pathogens that live in monocytes and macrophages in lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver and spleen. The clinical syndrome of brucellosis is manifested by an acute to sub-acute febrile illness, associated with fatigue, myalgias,joint pain, and headaches. Patients may also experience hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly. Fever may "undulate" over days, which is why some describe the disease as "undulant fever." Patients may find symptoms are best in the morning and progressively worsen over the day. The acute illness can progress to a chronic illness. Incubation is 2-3 weeks but may also be insidious in onset.
Brucella species
There are several species of Brucella, including Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, Brucella canis, Brucella ceti, and Brucella pinnipediae. Brucella melitensis is the most pathogenic in humans with its main hosts being goats and sheep. It has been eradicated since the 1970s in the United States but cases still occur, mainly secondary to unpasteurized diary products from outside the United States. Brucella abortus' main host is cattle and cases still occur secondary to wild bison and elk. Brucella Suis' main host is swine and cases result from contact with pigs and hogs. Brucella canis' main host is the dog. Brucella ceti and pinnipediae find hosts in marine species and is cause of neurobrucellosis.
Death from brucellosis occurs in only 2% of cases (CDC).
Transmission
- Consumption of poorly cooked meat or unpasteurized dairy products (most common mode of transmission).
- Inhalation of bacteria. Increased in those that work in laboratories that work with the bacteria and slaughterhouse workers.
- Directly via open skin wounds.
- Rare modes of transmission include via breastmilk, sexual transmission, tissue transplant, blood transfusion.
Clinical Symptoms
- Fever
- Diaphoresis
- Myalgias
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Joint/bone pain - occurs in 40% of cases, represented by arthritis, ostemyelitis, bursitis, etc.
- Nausea/vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Complications
- Cardiac: Endocarditis (2% of cases per W.H.O.) with aortic valve>mitral valve involvement.
- Pulmonary: Hilar lymphadenopathy, pneumonitis, pneumonia, effusions.
- GI: nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain.
- Liver: liver granulomas, hepatitis, hepatocellular necrosis
- Gallbladder: cholecystitis
- Neuro: "Neurobrucellosis"causing meningitis/encephalitis, neuro abscess, GBS, peripheral neuroapthy.
- Bone/joint: tenosynovitis, arthritis, osteomyelitis.
- Skin: Rashes, abscess. Rash is nonspecific and can range from erythema nodosum to nodules and petechiae.
- ophtho: Uveitis, optic neuritis.
- GU: Epididymitis, orchitis, salpingitis.
- Reproductive: spontaneous abortion
Chronic brucellosis
- >12 months of symptoms
- Divided into 3 categories:
- relapse: relapsing symptoms after treatment.
- chronic localized infection
- Delayed convalescence
Differential Diagnosis
Lower Respiratory Zoonotic Infections
- Psittacosis
- Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
- Brucellosis (Brucella species)
- Q fever (C. burnetti)
- Pasteurellosis (Pasteurella multocida)
- Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (R. rickettsii)
- Pulmonic Plague (Yersinia pestis)
- Influenza A
- Hantavirus
Evaluation
- Culture is often negative
- Serology is most useful in diagnosis.
Management
- Relapse is associated with use of beta-lactams, cephalosporins, macroides.
- Uncomplicated brucellosis (>8 years old):
- Tetracycline 500mg PO q6 hours x 6 weeks.
- + aminoglycoside
- Streptomycin 1 gm IM daily x 2-3 weeks
- + aminoglycoside
- Doxycycline (preferred agent) 100mg PO Q12 hours x 6 weeks.
- + aminoglycoside
- Streptomycin 1 gm IM daily x 2-3 weeks
- + aminoglycoside
- Tetracycline 500mg PO q6 hours x 6 weeks.
- Uncomplicated brucellosis (<8 years old)
- Aminoglycosides
- Co-trimoxazole
- Rifampicin
- Post-exposure prophylaxis
- Doxycycline x 6 weeks.
Antibiotic Sensitivities[1]
Key
- S susceptible/sensitive (usually)
- I intermediate (variably susceptible/resistant)
- R resistant (or not effective clinically)
- S+ synergistic with cell wall antibiotics
- U sensitive for UTI only (non systemic infection)
- X1 no data
- X2 active in vitro, but not used clinically
- X3 active in vitro, but not clinically effective for Group A strep pharyngitis or infections due to E. faecalis
- X4 active in vitro, but not clinically effective for strep pneumonia
Table Overview
See Also
References
- http://www.cdc.gov/brucellosis/
- WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Brucellosis in humans and animals. Produced by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Organisation for Animal Health Principal author: M.J. Corbel. 1.Brucellosis - prevention and control. 2.Brucellosis - epidemiology. 3.Brucellosis - complications. 4.Guidelines. I.Corbel, M.J. II.World Health Organization. III.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. IV.World Organisation for Animal Health.
- Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy 2014