21. c. Brucella Flashcards
What species of Brucella is associated with sheep?
Melitensis
What are the most likely ways to acquire a brucella melitensis infection?
Ingestion
Inhalation
Direct inoculation
What specimens and diagnostic approaches would be appropriate to help confirm brucellosis?
Blood for culture
Tissue biopsy for culture
Blood for serology
What are well recognised complications of chronic brucellosis?
Infective endocarditis Hepatosplenomegaly Orchitis CNs involvement bone and joint pain
What are appropriate approaches to preventing brucella infection?
Avoid drinking unpasteurised milk
Cull infected animals
Pasteurise milk
Vaccinate susceptible animals
How does brucella appear under the microscope?
Small gram - coccobacillus
What biosafety level is brucella?
3
Give some other metabolic facts about brucella
Strict aerobe
Intracellular
What cells ingest brucella and where does it multiply?
Neutrophils and macrophages
Lymph nodes
Where does brucella spread after the lymph nodes?
Blood stream to reticuloendothelial system
What evidence of infection is there in brucella target sites?
Small granuloma
How long is the incubation period for brucella?
2-4 weeks
What are the symptoms of acute brucellosis?
Influenza-like illness
Weight loss
Depression
What are the symptoms of chronic brucellosis?
Evening depression
Sweating episodes
Aches and weakness
Insomnia
What lab tests should be done to diagnose brucellosis?
Blood cultures >1
Bone marrow aspirate
Serology
PCR on blood or tissue
