Unit 3: Brucella Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the morphology of the genus Brucella?

A

gram-negative small rods or coccobacilli

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2
Q

Describe the growth on culture of the genus Brucella.

A

slow growing (2-5 days), forms small colonies, grows well on BAP, may need some CO2

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3
Q

What is identification of specific Brucella species based on?

A

urease, oxidase, CO2 requirement, H2S, growth in the presence of dyes, agglutination

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4
Q

What is the genus Brucella generally susceptible to?

A

chemical disinfectants

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5
Q

What is the general pathogenesis of the Brucella genus?

A

The organism pass from the point of entry to the lymphatics, multiply in the regional lymph node and then enter the bloodstream. They travel to the parenchymatous organs and other tissues. They are primarily intracellular in macrophages with development of granulomatous foci or nodules in the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, bone marrow, and testes

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6
Q

What is Brucella abortus the cause of?

A

abortion in cattle and undulant fever in humans

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7
Q

What does Brucella abortus require for growth?

A

CO2 on primary isolation - growth is stimulated by erythritol

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8
Q

Where is Brucella abortus endemic and in what species?

A

in the middle east in cattle, goats, horses, camels, and others

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9
Q

What is Brucella abortus excreted in?

A

genital secretions, colostrum, or mil from recently infected cows or carrier animals that abort or calve

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10
Q

What are the two infectious routes of Brucella abortus?

A
  1. ingestion of food and water contaminated with uterine discharges or urine or ingestion of milk
  2. Penetration of skin and mucous membranes
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11
Q

What is the pathogenesis of Brucella abortus in cows that are pregnant (6 months +)?

A

the organism localizes in the placenta causing abortion, due primarily to circulatory disturbance, and sometimes sterility

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12
Q

What does Brucella abortus cause in bulls?

A

epididymitis and orchitis which leads to sterility or decreased fertility

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13
Q

True or False: Calves maintain Brucella abortus infection.

A

false

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14
Q

What is the significance of erythritol in Brucella abortus infection?

A

it is a sugar alcohol present in the placenta and testes of susceptible species - it provides stimulation of growth in these tissues

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15
Q

What humans are susceptible to Brucella abortus?

A

lab workers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, and farmers

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16
Q

What is a major source of human infection of Brucella abortus?

A

unpasteurized milk

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17
Q

What is undulant fever characterized by?

A

profuse perspiration, joint and back pain

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18
Q

Where may Brucella abortus localize in humans?

A

liver, lymph nodes, or bone

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19
Q

How do you treat Brucella abortus infection in humans??

A

tetracycline and/or streptomycin for at least one month

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20
Q

Brucella abortus causes disease in _____ and _____ similar to that in cattle.

A

sheep and goats

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21
Q

What does Brucella abortus cause in horses?

A

fistulous withers or poll evil

22
Q

What is used in the United States to vaccinate against Brucella abortus?

A

RB51 - a B. abortus rough strain (lacks O antigen)

23
Q

What does accidental exposure of RB51 in humans require?

A

20-day-post-exposure treatment with doxycycline

24
Q

When should heifer calves be vaccinated with RB51?

A

at 3-10 months of age

25
Q

True or False: There is a State-Federal cooperative control program in the U.S for Brucella abortus.

A

True

26
Q

What are the 3 components of the State-Federal Cooperative control program for Brucella abortus?

A
  1. Blood test cattle either at the sale barn, slaughter plant, or pre-sale replacement heifers and cows going from one farm or state to another
  2. Eliminate all cattle with positive titers
  3. Calfhood immunization is required in a few states. Calves are less susceptible to infection but can still be infected
27
Q

What is the card test for Brucella abortus?

A

it is a field test that uses 1 serum dilution and a stained antigen

28
Q

What is the ring test for Brucella abortus?

A

it tests for immunoglobulin in the milk of cows and is run 1 to 4 times per year on each dairy herd depending on state/federal agreement

29
Q

What is the cause of Malta fever?

A

Brucella melitensis

30
Q

Where is Brucella melitensis infection widespread?

A

in countries surrounding the Mediterranean, central Asia, around the Arabian Gulf and Latin America

31
Q

What species does Brucella melitensis infect in endemic areas?

A

sheep, camels, and horses

32
Q

How do humans become infected with Brucella melitensis?

A

by eating unpasteurized goat milk

33
Q

Disease in goats due to Brucella melitensis is very similar to that caused by what in cattle?

A

Brucella abortus

34
Q

True or False: Brucella suis is host restricted to swine.

A

False

35
Q

How is Brucella suis transmitted?

A

via ingestion of contaminated feed or water or venereal

36
Q

What may infection of Brucella suis cause in swine?

A

sterility, birth of a stillborn or weak pigs, and focal abscessation in organs

37
Q

What can Brucella suis cause in cattle?

A

spondylitis or lameness

38
Q

How do you diagnose Brucella suis infections?

A

agglutination tests

39
Q

How do control a Brucella suis infection?

A

isolate and slaughter infected swine herds and sanitize the premises and restock after 2 months

40
Q

What does Brucella ovis cause?

A

Contagious epididymitis in rams and may cause abortion and decreased fertility in ewes

41
Q

True or False: There is a State-Federal Cooperative control program in the US for Brucella ovis.

A

False

42
Q

What is Brucella canis’ growth inhibited by?

A

10% CO2

43
Q

What does Brucella canis cause?

A

persistent bacteremia, generalized lymphadenitis, splenitis, embryonic deaths, and late term abortions
epididymitis and testicular atrophy in males

44
Q

How is Brucella canis transmitted?

A

it is passed in large numbers by aborting females and infects other dogs via oral and conjunctival routes
The organism can be transmitted to males that breed with infected females and vice versa

45
Q

What is the distribution of Brucella canis?

A

it is most common in large kennels and in the southeastern United States and is common in other countries especially where feral dogs are a problem

46
Q

How do you diagnose a Brucella canis infection?

A

culture and a rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT)

47
Q

Is there treatment for Brucella canis?

A

long term antibiotics have been tried but it is not usually practiced

48
Q

How is Brucella canis infection conrolled?

A

test and eliminate positive animals

49
Q

What animals are Brucella pinnipediae and Brucella cetaceae isolated from?

A

marine animals

50
Q

What does Brucella pinnipediae and Brucella cetaceae cause?

A

abortion in marine animals