Introduction

Classification

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: bacteria.
• Phylum: proteobacteria.
• Class: alphaproteobacteria.
• Order: rhizobiales.
• Family: brucellaceae.
• Genus: brucella.
• Species: brucella abortus.

Etymology

• Named after Sir David Bruce who discovered this organism.

Active Forms

Clinical Effects

Epidemiology

Habitat

• Brucellae are found in reproductive organs. Infected animals can become persistently infected acting as resevoirs of infection.

Pathological effects

• Multiplication occurs within host phagocytes and lymph nodes.
• Proliferates massively at midgestation in the reproductive tract leading to abortion around 5 months.
• Early embryonic death → apparent infertility.
• Abortion, fetuses partially autolyzed.
• Epididymitis Epididymitis → loss of fertility.

Control

Control via animal

• Direct treatment of infected animals is ineffective.
• Infected cattle should be slaughtered.

Control via environment

• Rapid removal of aborted fetuses.

Vaccination

• Vaccination has been used historically.
• Two vaccines are currently available S19 and RB51.

Diagnosis

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Carvalho Neta A V, Mol J P, Xavier M N, Paixão T A, Lage A P & Santos R L (2010) Pathogenesis of bovine brucellosis. Vet J 184 (2), 146-55
• Bercovich Z (2000) The use of skin delayed-type hypersensitivity as an adjunct test to diagnose brucellosis in cattle: a review. Vet Q 22 (3), 123-30 PubMed.
• Bercovich Z. (1998) Maintenance of Brucella abortus-free herds: a review with
  emphasis on the epidemiology and the problems in diagnosing brucellosis in areas of low prevalence. Vet Q 20 (3), 81-8 PubMed.
• Corbel M J (1997) Brucellosis - an overview. Emerg Infec Dis 3 (2), 1-12
• Samartino L E & Enright F M (1993) Pathogenesis of abortion of bovine brucellosis. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 16 (2), 95-101
• ter Huurne A A, Meijer M & Dijkerman N A (1993) Latency of Brucella abortus causes problems in oriented control: a review. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 118 (21), 679-83 PubMed.
• Strausbaugh and Berkelman. (2003). Human Illness Associated with Use of Veterinary Vaccines. Clin Inf Dis 37 (3). PP 407-414.