What Is Brucellosis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that spreads from animals to people.

You can catch brucellosis if you consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, or other dairy products from an infected animal.

While rare, it’s also possible to catch the disease through the air or through direct contact with infected animals.

Symptoms of brucellosis can develop a few days to a few months after infection.

• Fever
• Sweats
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Pain in muscles, joints, or the back

• Recurrent fever
• Arthritis (joint inflammation)
• Swelling of the scrotal area in men
• Swelling of the heart
• Swelling of the liver or spleen
• Neurological symptoms
• Chronic fatigue
• Depression

Brucellosis is caused by the bacteria Brucella, which humans may contract from infected animals or contaminated animal products.

The most common ways humans contract the disease is by:

• Eating raw dairy products contaminated by Brucella
• Inhaling air contaminated by Brucella
• Having an open wound and touching blood or body fluid of infected animals

The majority of brucellosis cases are caused by eating contaminated food products, such as:

• Improperly pasteurized milk
• Improperly pasteurized cheese
• Raw meat

Your doctor will confirm a diagnosis of brucellosis by running tests that look for the bacteria in samples of blood or other bodily fluids.

This often requires a biopsy of your liver tissue or bone marrow and the involvement of other medical specialists.

If your doctor suspects you have complications due to brucellosis, they may order additional tests:

• X-Rays This can help your doctor see changes in your bones and joints.
• MRI or CT Scans Your doctor uses these to check for inflammation in the brain or other areas.
• Echocardiography This image of your heart allows your doctor to check for signs of damage.
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis This test looks for infections like meningitis and encephalitis.

  

Depending on the severity of the illness, recovery can take from a few weeks to a few months.

It’s necessary to take antibiotics for at least six weeks.

If you test positive for brucellosis, your doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics.

The antibiotics doxycycline (Vibramycin) and rifampin (Rifadin) are often prescribed together for at least six to eight weeks.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re:

• Pregnant
• Allergic to doxycycline or rifampin
• Immunosuppressed due to a drug or medical condition

  

Prevention of Brucellosis

Brucellosis is best prevented by avoiding undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products, including cheese, milk, and ice cream.

Left untreated, brucellosis can cause possible complications in organs throughout your body:

• Endocarditis This is an infection of the heart’s inner lining. It is the leading cause of death due to brucellosis.
• Arthritis You may experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in your knees, ankles, wrists, hips, and spine.
• Inflammation of the Spleen and Liver This may be caused by an infection that causes the spleen and liver to become inflamed and enlarged.
• Epididymo-orchitis This is inflammation and infection of the testicles, which can cause painful swelling.
• Infections of the Central Nervous System These may include meningitis (inflammation of brain membranes) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain itself), both of which can be life-threatening.

  

Men and women contract brucellosis at the same rate.

Brucellosis is rare in the United States, with less than 100 cases each year. This is because milk is routinely pasteurized and cattle are vaccinated.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC, a national public health institute, has detailed and up-to-date information on brucellosis and other infectious diseases. On its website, learn how to reduce your risk of brucellosis, plus potential treatment options.

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

NORD is a patient advocacy organization committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare diseases. Its website has further information on the symptoms, causes, and treatments for brucellosis.

Additional reporting by Cathy Cassata.