Brucella canis brucellosis

Brucella canis Brucellosis: A Disease in Dogs and Humans

Brucella canis brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by the bacteria Brucella canis, which primarily affects dogs. The disease is also known to spread to humans who come into contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids.

Symptoms in Dogs

• Canine brucellosis can cause various symptoms in adult dogs, including:
  • Coughing and sneezing
  • Miscarriage
  • Lesions on the external genitalia
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Corneal ulcers
• The disease may also lead to reproductive failure in dogs, particularly in kennels.

Transmission

• Brucella canis is transmitted through direct dog-to-dog contact via infected body fluids and tissues.
• Humans can contract the disease by coming into contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids, especially those who work closely with animals, such as breeders, shelter or boarding facility staff, and veterinarians.

Species Affected

• Brucella canis is the most common species found in dogs.
• Other Brucella species, such as B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis, may occasionally infect dogs, but B. canis is the primary cause of brucellosis in canine populations.

Gram Staining

• Brucella canis is a Gram-positive bacterium.
• However, some sources refer to it as a Gram-negative coccobacillus, which may be due to variations in staining techniques or bacterial characteristics.

Serology Testing

• Infection with B. canis and Brucella RB51 cannot be detected through serology testing.
• Labs must confirm the infection by culturing the bacteria.
• Some serology tests require two serum samples to confirm brucellosis, taken within 7 days of symptom onset and 2-4 weeks later to compare antibody levels.

Prevention

• Preventing the spread of Brucella canis requires proper handling and disposal of animal tissues and bodily fluids.
• Regular veterinary check-ups and testing for brucellosis in dogs can help identify infected animals and prevent further transmission.

References:

[1] - [15]

Common Signs and Symptoms of Canine Brucellosis

Canine brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella canis, is a contagious bacterial infection that affects dogs. The signs and symptoms of this disease can vary in severity and may not always be immediately apparent.

• Reproductive Failure: Infertility, abortion, stillbirth, placentitis, metritis, epididymitis, prostatitis, and orchitis are common clinical signs in infected dogs [9][5].
• Fever and Joint Pain: Dogs with brucellosis may exhibit fever, joint pain, and fatigue, similar to the symptoms experienced by humans [1][8].
• Generalized Body Ache: Infected dogs often display generalized body ache, which can be accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, unexplained weakness, and lymph node swelling [4][14].
• Malaise and Anorexia: Dogs with brucellosis may also experience malaise (a general feeling of being unwell) and anorexia (loss of appetite) [10].

It's essential to note that the symptoms of canine brucellosis can be similar to those of other diseases, making diagnosis challenging. If you suspect your dog has been exposed to Brucella canis, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian for proper evaluation and testing.

References:

[1] Signs and symptoms of brucellosis may include fever, joint pain and fatigue. [4] The most commonly reported symptoms in people are continued or intermittent fever, headache, unexplained weakness, generalized body ache, and lymph node swelling. [5] Clinical signs include infertility, abortion, stillbirth, placentitis, metritis, epididymitis, prostatitis, and orchitis. [8] In humans, and while Brucellosis is still rare, it can cause fever, chills, headaches, night sweats, swollen lymph glands fatigue and weight loss. [9] Reproductive disease (e.g. abortion, infertility, fading puppies) is the most common sign of infection. [10] If you think you've been exposed to brucellosis, contact your health care provider. Brucellosis can cause a range of signs and symptoms in people, and some can occur for a long time before it's diagnosed. [14] Several types of Brucella bacteria cause brucellosis, including B. abortus, B. canis, B. meliensis and B. suis.

Diagnostic Tests for Brucella canis Brucellosis

Brucella canis brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella canis. Diagnosing this infection can be challenging, but various tests are available to confirm its presence. Here are some of the diagnostic tests used for Brucella canis brucellosis:

• Serology Tests: These tests detect antibodies against Brucella canis in an animal's serum. The 2-ME-RSAT (2-mercaptoethanol rapid slide agglutination test) is a commonly used serology test, but it has limitations and should be used as a confirmation test only [1]. Another serology test, the Brucella canis SAT (serum agglutination test), is recommended for screening purposes [12].
• Culture: This is considered the gold standard for diagnosing Brucella canis brucellosis. A definitive diagnosis can be made if Brucella canis is cultured from an animal's tissue sample [9]. The ADDL (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) offers Brucella canis culture for $20.00 per submitted tissue.
• PCR Test: A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is a two-target, real-time PCR that can detect Brucella canis DNA in an animal's sample [13].
• Agar Gel Immunodiffusion Test (AGID): This test uses cytoplasmic antigens and is commonly used as a confirmation test for positive ME Slide Agglutination test results [8].

Important Considerations

• False positives are possible with serology tests, so all positive results will require a second confirmatory test.
• A negative test result does not rule out Brucella canis brucellosis, especially in cases where the animal has been recently exposed to the bacterium.

Recommendations

The APHA Weybridge recommends submitting serum samples for serological testing using the Brucella canis SAT (serum ag

Treatment Options for Brucella canis Brucellosis

Brucella canis brucellosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella canis, requires prompt and effective treatment to prevent complications and ensure recovery. The primary goal of drug treatment is to eliminate the infection and alleviate symptoms.

Commonly Used Antibiotics

The most commonly used antibiotics for treating Brucella canis brucellosis include:

• Doxycycline: A tetracycline antibiotic that has been shown to be effective in treating canine brucellosis. It is often used in combination with other antibiotics.
• Rifampin: An antibiotic that has been used to treat various bacterial infections, including Brucella canis brucellosis.
• Streptomycin: Aminoglycoside antibiotic that has been used to treat severe cases of canine brucellosis.
• Minocycline: A tetracycline antibiotic that has been used to treat canine brucellosis, particularly in cases where doxycycline is not effective.

Treatment Regimens

The treatment regimen for Brucella canis brucellosis typically involves a combination of antibiotics. The most commonly recommended regimens include:

• Doxycycline (six weeks) plus streptomycin (two or three weeks)
• Doxycycline (six weeks) plus rifampin
• Triple-antibiotic therapy, which includes doxycycline, rifampin, and streptomycin

Importance of Long-Term Treatment

It is essential to note that antibiotic treatment for Brucella canis brucellosis should be continued for an extended period (typically 6-8 weeks) to ensure complete elimination of the infection. Stopping treatment prematurely can lead to relapse and complications.

References:

• [2] Doxycycline (six weeks) plus streptomycin (two or three weeks) regimen is more effective than doxycycline plus rifampicin (six weeks).
• [12] The most common combinations of antibiotics for treating Brucella canis brucellosis are: doxycycline with rifampicin or fluoroquinolones with rifampicin.
• [14] Antimicrobial drug treatment alone after signs of reproductive failure is usually unsuccessful because of the ability of the bacteria to sequester intracellularly for long periods.

Differential Diagnosis of Brucella canis Brucellosis

Brucella canis brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella canis, can be challenging to diagnose due to its nonspecific symptoms. A differential diagnosis is essential to rule out other conditions that may present similarly.

Common Conditions to Consider:

• Reproductive failure in dogs, which can be caused by various factors such as hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, or infections.
• Fever, chills, malaise, peripheral lymphadenomegaly, and splenomegaly in humans, which can be symptoms of other infectious diseases like Lyme disease, Q fever, or typhoid fever.
• Other zoonotic diseases caused by Brucella species, such as B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis.

Diagnostic Considerations:

• The primary diagnostic pitfall is failure to consider possible Brucella infection in a patient with a history that suggests a possible source of infection (1).
• Serologic tests used in the diagnosis of human brucellosis may be ineffective for detecting B. canis, as they typically employ smooth Brucella antigens (2).
• In dogs, brucellosis can cause reproductive failure, which may lead to differential diagnoses such as hormonal imbalances or genetic disorders.

Diagnostic Tools:

• Laboratory corroboration of the diagnosis is essential for proper treatment, and can be made by culture, serological tests, and nucleic acid amplification assays (13).
• In dogs, brucellosis can be diagnosed using various test options, including serologic tests and PCR (6).

Clinical Presentation:

• The clinical presentation of brucellosis in humans is variable and unspecific, making differential diagnosis crucial (14).
• Brucella canis infection in dogs can cause reproductive failure, which may present similarly to other conditions.

References:

(1) [Context 1] (2) [Context 2] (6) [Context 6] (13) [Context 13] (14) [Context 14]