Brucellosis

Question 1

What type of bacteria causes brucellosis

Answer 1

Brucella, negative rods without a capsule

Question 2

How is Brucellosis caused

Answer 2

Ingestion of raw milk from infected cattles or goats

Question 3

What is the incubation period for brucellosis

Answer 3

One to three weeks

Question 4

What are the symptoms of brucellosis

Answer 4

1. Fever
2. malaise
3. rigors
4. joint pain
5. headache
6. weakness
7. anorexia
8. pain in the limbs and back

Question 5

What are the signs of brucellosis

Answer 5

1. Lymphadenopathy
2. pancytopenia
3. hepatosplenomegaly
4. spinal tenderness

Question 6

What are the complications of brucellosis

Answer 6

1. Relapse after two years
2. Localized disease causing suppurative or granulomatous lesion including arthritis spondylitis, bursitis, endocarditis, liver granuloma, meningioencephalitis, osteomyelitis, epididymo-orchitis, pneumonia, hepatitis
3.  chronic brucellosis: low-grade fever and neuropsychiatric symptoms

Question 7

What are the investigations for brucellosis

Answer 7

1. Blood culture
2. bone culture
3. Brucella antibody titler test
4. PCR test (serology)
5. CSF culture

Question 8

How do you manage brucellosis

Answer 8

1. Doxycycline 200mg daily for six weeks
2. rifampicin/streptomycin/gentamicin 600 to 900 mg daily for six weeks

Question 9

How do you prevent brucellosis

Answer 9

1. Pasteurization of milk
2. immunization of animals
3. slaughtering of infected animals