Brucellosis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Alternate Names : Rock fever, Cyprus fever, Undulant fever, Gibraltar fever, Malta fever, Mediterranean fever

Definition

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by contact with animals carrying bacteria called Brucella.

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Brucella can infect cattle, goats, camels, dogs, and pigs. The bacteria can spread to humans if you come in contact with infected meat or the placenta of infected animals, or if you eat or drink unpasteurized milk or cheese.

Brucellosis is rare in the United States, with approximately 100 – 200 cases each year.

People working in jobs requiring frequent contact with animals or meat such as slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and veterinarians are at high risk.

Pictures & Images

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a disease that starts with flu-like symptoms. Complications may include arthritis, heart disease and brain damage.

Antibodies

Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens.

• Brucellosis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

• Brucellosis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests

• Brucellosis : Treatment

Review Date : 9/3/2008
Reviewed By : D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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