3.17 Brucella Species
Microbiology review for the USMLE Step 1 exam
- Brucella species are gram-negative intracellular coccobacilli that are spread from animals to humans, causing a zoonotic infection called Brucellosis.
- B. melitensis is the most common species that causes infection in humans and is also the most virulent.
- Brucella only requires a very small dose (10-100 bacteria) to cause full-blown disease, often spread through contaminated unpasteurized milk or contact with animal carcasses.
- "Bruce Wayne's goat, Brucella Wayne, helps him SLAUGHTER bad guys"
- Symptoms include cyclical fever and chills, general malaise, headaches, joint pain, and nausea and vomiting.
- Diagnosis can be confirmed through blood cultures and PCR.
- Treatment involves antibiotics, typically doxycycline for a course of 6 weeks.
- People most at risk for infection include those who drink unpasteurized goat milk and those who work with animal carcasses, such as slaughterhouse workers.
