Biology Disease
Work-Related Diseases

Occupational Disease Brucellosis

Brucellosis Category Infection, Occupational

Brucellosis Severity

Acute-Moderate

Brucellosis Synonyms

Undulant fever; Malta fever; Mediterranean fever; Brucella abortus infection; B. mellitensis infection; B. suis infection; B. canis infection

Information on Brucellosis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Screening and Imaging

Brucellosis is a generalized bacterial infection characterized by irregular fever ("undulant fever"). It is an occupational disease for workers who handle infected animals and their tissues. Affected workers include farmers, hunters, veterinarians, butchers, and slaughterers. Osteoarthritic complications are fairly common. A vaccine to prevent the disease in animals is available. [Chin, p. 75-8] After the initial phase, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy are common, and up to 50% of patients have hepatomegaly. Patients recover in 2-3 weeks in uncomplicated cases. [Merck Manual, p. 1166-7] Brucellosis is a systemic infection that occasionally affects the lung. Respiratory symptoms occur in about one half of patients who have abnormal chest x-rays. Chest x-ray findings may include hilar adenopathy, peribronchial infiltrates, nodules, and miliary patterns. [Murray JF, Nadel JA, eds. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co. 1988; p. 844] Brucellosis usually presents as a flu-like illness. Back pain is common. About 20% of patients have cough and pleuritic chest pain. The chest x-ray is usually normal, but abnormal findings may include lung abcesses, pneumonia, enlarged hilar lymph nodes, and pleural effusions. Gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation) occurs in 70% of patients. [http://www.usamriid.army.mil/education/bluebook.html]

Brucellosis Latency

5-60 days, usually 1-2 months

Brucellosis References

http://www.cdc.gov/health/brucellosis.htm