$Unique_ID{BRK03545} $Pretitle{} $Title{Brucellosis} $Subject{Brucellosis Undulant Fever Malta Fever Mediterranean Fever Gibraltar Fever Bang Disease Melitococcosis Neapolitan Fever Rock Fever Febris Melitensis Febris Sudoralis Febris Undulans Fievre Caprine Brucellemia Brucelliasis Melitensis Septicemia Maltese Fever Phthisis Cyprus Fever Goat Fever Goat's Milk Fever Chronic Brucellosis Subacute Brucellosis Acute Brucellosis} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 206: Brucellosis ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible the main title of the article (Brucellosis) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Undulant Fever Malta Fever Mediterranean Fever Gibraltar Fever Bang Disease Melitococcosis Neapolitan Fever Rock Fever Febris Melitensis Febris Sudoralis Febris Undulans Fievre Caprine Brucellemia Brucelliasis Melitensis Septicemia Maltese Fever Phthisis Cyprus Fever Goat Fever Goat's Milk Fever Chronic Brucellosis Subacute Brucellosis Acute Brucellosis General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Brucellosis is an infectious disease characterized by an acute stage with fever with few or no localizing signs , and a chronic stage with relapses of fever, weakness, profuse sweating, and vague aches and pains. The disorder occurs worldwide, and most often occurs as a result of drinking unpasteurized milk. Symptoms Onset of Brucellosis may be sudden and acute, with chills and fever, severe headache, pains, malaise, and, occasionally, diarrhea. In some cases onset may be more gradual, beginning with mild malaise, muscular pain, headache, and pain in the back of the neck followed by a rise in body temperature during the evening. As the disease progresses, body temperature increases to 40-41 C (104-105 F) during the evening, subsiding gradually to normal or near normal in the morning when profuse sweating occurs. Intermittent fever usually persists for 1 to 5 weeks, followed by a 2 to 14 day remission when symptoms are greatly diminished or absent. The fever phase can recur. Sometimes this pattern occurs only once. Occasionally, however, subacute or chronic Brucellosis follows, with repeated waves of fever and remissions recurring over months or years. Constipation usually is pronounced; anorexia (loss of appetite), weight loss, abdominal pain, and joint pain may be present. The patient may also experience headache, backache, weakness, and irritability. Insomnia (inability to sleep), mental depression, and emotional instability can occur. Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) appears, and lymph nodes may be slightly enlarged. Patients with acute, uncomplicated Brucellosis usually recover within 2 to 3 weeks. It is unusual for chronic Brucellosis to result in prolonged ill health, but this can occur. The total white blood cell count is usually normal or sometimes reduced with an excess of normal lymph cells in the blood (lymphocytosis). In some cases, tests for Brucellosis may show positive results only during the period in which the patient has a fever. At other times, test results may be negative. Complications of Brucellosis are rare, but may include subacute bacterial endocarditis, meningitis, encephalitis, neuritis, orchitis, cholecystitis, hepatic suppuration, and bone lesions. Causes Brucellosis is acquired by direct contact with secretions and excretions of infected animals, or by ingesting milk or milk products (e.g., cheese and butter) from cows, sheep, or goats which contain the live Brucella bacteria. It is rarely transmitted from person to person, and most often is transmitted by drinking unpasteurized milk. The bacteria which causes human Brucellosis is Brucella abortus carried by cattle, Brucella suis carried by hogs, Brucella melitensis transmitted by sheep and goats, and Brucella rangiferi which is carried by Alaskan and Siberian caribou. Brucella canis, carried by dogs, has caused sporadic infections. Affected Population Brucellosis is most prevalent in rural area. It is an occupational hazard of meat packers, veterinarians, farmers, and livestock producers. Children are less susceptible than adults. The disease occurs worldwide. During 1984, 131 cases of Brucellosis were reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The reported occurrence sharply decreased from 1947 until 1965 because of widespread adoption of dairy-product pasteurization and the bovine-brucellosis eradication program. The downward trend continued at a slower rate until 1978, when a plateau of approximately 0.1 identified cases/100,000 population/year was achieved. Therapies: Standard Brucellosis can be prevented by the pasteurization of milk and by eating only aged cheese. Persons handling animals or carcasses that are likely to be infected should wear rubber gloves and protect skin breaks from bacterial invasion. Every effort should be made to detect the infection in animals and control it at is source. Tetracycline is used to treat Brucellosis. Seriously ill patients are also given streptomycin. Prednisone is prescribed if toxemia (the presence of toxins in the blood) occurs. Severe body pains, especially through the spine, may require pain relieving medications such as codeine. Activity should be restricted in acute cases. Bed rest is recommended during periods of fever. Therapies: Investigational This disease entry is based upon medical information available through September 1989 Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Brucellosis, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-3534 FDA Office of Consumer Affairs 5600 Fishers Lane Rm. 12-A-40 Rockville, MD 20857 (301) 443-4903 References CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.: James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H. Smith, Jr., Eds.: W. B. Saunders Co., 1988. Pp. 1676-9. THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed: R. Berkow, et al: eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, 1987. P. 109.