Brucellosis

Overview

• Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by bacteria of the genus
  Brucella. Taxonomically, the genus Brucella is divided into ten
  classified species and subdivided into biovars.
• Brucella bacteria are Gram-negative coccobacilli that are non-motile and
  nonspore-forming. They grow anaerobically and certain strains need a 5% to 10%
  carbon dioxide atmosphere.

Clinical signs

• Clinical signs - Brucellosis is characterized by abortion and to a lesser extent by orchitis and infection of the accessory sex glands in males. Infections may cause stillborn calves, retained placenta and fetal death.
  The disease can generally cause significant loss of productivity through late first
  calving age, long calving interval time, low herd fertility and comparatively low
  milk production.
• In humans, the disease, which is often referred to as ‘undulant fever’
  or ‘Malta fever’ is a serious public health problem. Brucella melitensis and B. abortus are the two species most commonly found in human cases, and B. melitensis is responsible for the most serious infections. HIGHLIGHTS