Brucella suis brucellosis

Brucella suis brucellosis, also known as swine brucellosis, is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella suis. This disease primarily affects pigs and can cause significant economic losses in the livestock industry.

Symptoms of Brucella suis brucellosis:

• Chronic inflammatory lesions in the reproductive organs of susceptible animals
• Orchitis (inflammation of the testicles)
• Abortion in pregnant sows at any stage of gestation [1]
• Temporary or permanent infertility in affected animals

Transmission and Risk Factors:

• Direct contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products
• People can get brucellosis by coming into contact with infected animals, their tissues, or contaminated materials [2]

Impact on Humans:

• Brucella suis is a Gram-negative coccobacillus that can cause systemic infection and clinical disease in humans, including infertility and abortion [3]
• Travelers' brucellosis can be caused by B. suis or B. canis infection due to contact with infected animal populations [4]

Complications:

• Brucellosis may be complicated by infection of the joints or spine (brucella spondylitis) or involvement of other organs, such as the heart, eyes, kidneys, or lungs [5]

The disease was first described in 1751 by George Cleghorn, a British army surgeon stationed on Minorca [6]. Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by Brucella species and can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated materials.

References:

[1] Context result 1 [2] Context result 2 [3] Context result 3 [4] Context result 7 [5] Context result 12 [6] Context result 13

Brucellosis caused by Brucella suis can manifest in various ways, with symptoms often being nonspecific and varying between individuals.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Fever
• Sweating
• Generally feeling unwell (malaise)
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Headache

These initial symptoms can be subtle and may not necessarily point to brucellosis. In fact, the disease is often diagnosed after a healthcare provider tests for other conditions to rule them out.

Clinical signs in animals:

In infected swine, clinical signs may be mild, with the animal showing few signs until it aborts. There may be swelling of the testicles in males, and the disease can lead to reduced birthing rates or a return to heat after breeding.

Human symptoms:

In humans, brucellosis caused by B. suis can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Undulant fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Myalgias (muscle pain)
• Arthralgias (joint pain)
• Weakness
• Malaise

Symptoms may disappear for weeks or months and then return, with some people experiencing chronic brucellosis and symptoms lasting for years even after treatment.

Long-term signs and symptoms:

Long-term signs and symptoms of brucellosis can include:

• Fatigue
• Recurrent fevers
• Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers (endocarditis)
• Joint inflammation (arthritis)

It's essential to note that these symptoms are nonspecific and can be caused by other conditions. A healthcare provider will typically test for brucellosis through laboratory testing, including serology or cultures, especially if a patient has a history of exposure to infected animals.

References:

[3] B. suis is the most common type of Brucella seen in the U.S., and its infection is often found in wild pigs. [4] Laboratory testing is required to confirm a diagnosis of brucellosis due to non-specific initial symptoms. [5] Brucellosis can be caused by various Brucella species, including B. suis, which mainly infects swine. [10] Brucellosis symptoms may disappear for weeks or months and then return, with some people experiencing chronic brucellosis and symptoms lasting for years even after treatment. [13] Symptoms of brucellosis can begin 5 days to several months after exposure to Brucella bacteria.

Diagnostic Tests for Brucella suis Brucellosis

Brucella suis brucellosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella suis, can be challenging to diagnose. However, various diagnostic tests are available to confirm the infection.

• Serology testing: This is the most commonly used method for diagnosing brucellosis. Serology tests detect antibodies against Brucella spp. in the blood. The standard card test (SCT) and buffered, acidified plate antigen (BAPA) test have been used to diagnose brucellosis [7].
• Culture: Culture is considered the gold standard for diagnosing brucellosis. However, it can be time-consuming and requires specialized equipment. Brucella spp. can be isolated from blood or tissues using culture techniques [7].
• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): ELISA has become increasingly accepted for the same-day diagnosis of brucellosis. This test detects antibodies against Brucella antigen in the blood [3].
• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): PCR is a molecular diagnostic technique that can detect Brucella spp. DNA in blood or tissues. The multiplex AMOS PCR, which targets four species of Brucella (abortus, melitensis, ovis, and suis), is often used for typing Brucella spp. [6].

Presumptive Diagnosis

A presumptive diagnosis of brucellosis can be made based on clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. However, a definitive diagnosis requires confirmation through serology testing or culture.

• Clinical symptoms: Symptoms of brucellosis include fever, fatigue, and joint pain.
• Laboratory findings: Laboratory tests may show elevated white blood cell counts, anemia, and abnormal liver function tests.

Testing at CDC

The Zoonotic and Select Agent Laboratory (ZSAL) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers diagnostic testing for Brucella spp. This includes serology testing, culture, and PCR.

In conclusion, various diagnostic tests are available to diagnose Brucella suis brucellosis. Serology testing is the most commonly used method, but culture and PCR can also be used to confirm the infection. A presumptive diagnosis can be made based on clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, but a definitive diagnosis requires confirmation through serology testing or culture.

References:

[3] ELISA for Brucella suis brucellosis [6] Multiplex AMOS PCR for typing Brucella spp. [7] Standard card test (SCT) and buffered, acidified plate antigen (BAPA) test for diagnosing brucellosis

Differential Diagnosis of Brucella suis Brucellosis

Brucella suis brucellosis, a zoonotic disease caused by infection with Brucella suis, can be challenging to diagnose due to its nonspecific symptoms. A differential diagnosis is necessary to rule out other conditions that may present similarly.

Conditions to Consider:

• Parvovirus
• Brucellosis (other species)
• Pseudorabies virus (PRV)
• Bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal infections

These conditions can mimic the symptoms of brucellosis, such as reproductive impairment or failure, localization of Brucella suis in bones and joints, and swelling of testicles. A broad differential diagnosis is essential to ensure accurate identification and treatment.

Diagnostic Considerations:

• Serology can help identify infected herds and individuals.
• Immunohistochemical methods may be used for diagnosing B. suis infections in European hares.
• Quantitative tests can confirm brucellosis if there is a four-fold or greater rise in Brucella antibody titer.

References:

• [7] Swine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with Brucella suis. Infection may cause abortion, infertility, lameness, orchitis, and swelling of testicles.
• [8] Differential Diagnosis: A broad, differential diagnosis is necessary due to the nonspecific symptoms and includes bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal infections.
• [9] Brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of back pain, discospondylitis, lameness, abortion, prostatic abscessation, and testicular/epididymal swelling.