Brucella can be called a form of bacterial infection. It is a type of disease that occurs intensively in the Mediterranean region and is observed in animals and can be transmitted to humans. The infectious disease caused by the brucella virus in humans is called brucellosis. Oxen, ibex, sheep kids, calves, wild boars, etc. It can be transmitted to people from the skins of large and small ruminant species, dairy products, liquid feces and pregnancy of large and small ruminants with brucellosis.
What is Brucella?
Brucella is defined as a bacterial disease that can spread from infected cattle and sheep to humans. There are many types of brucellosis. Brucella is the name of the virus that causes this disease, which is also called bruellosis in medical terminology. Some strains cause infection in cows, while others cause the disease in wild boars, aggressive dogs, humped camels, ovine goats and sheep.
Brucella is transmitted to humans through direct interaction with infected animals or by consuming their milk and meat as food. In some cases, the disease may be asymptomatic. However, symptoms such as fever, fatigue and chills may occur. The treatment of this disease is provided by experts with antibiotics to sick people, while there is no specific treatment for animals.
How is Brucella Transmitted?
Brucellosis is transmitted to people through contact with infected animals or animal food. Transmission of the disease from person to person is very rare. However, there is a possibility that mothers who breastfeed their babies can pass it to their babies through breast milk. We can list the transmission methods of Brucella disease as follows;
- Through unkilled milk, undercooked meat and food from sick animals
- After close contact with the skin of an infected animal through scratches, bruised skin on the body
- The eyes can come into contact with the fluid obtained from infected animals.
In addition, we can list the 4 types of bacteria that most commonly cause brucellosis as follows;
B. abortus: It is transmitted from bovine oxen.
Brucella melitensis: Present in some small ruminants.
B. suis: Found in wild pigs, this is the most virulent type of virus.
B. canis: The germs of the viruses are transmitted through dogs.
What are the Symptoms of Brucella?
On average, 90% of people with brucellosis have no or very few symptoms. In such people, the diagnosis can be made by examining the reaction to the virus in the blood present in the human body, especially in case of anxiety. In another 10% of such cases, different symptoms are observed.
The symptoms of this disease are not specific and occur mainly within 5-30 days after the virus has entered the body. The general symptoms that can be observed are as follows;
- Fever of the person (among the most common symptoms)
- Experiencing intense back pain
- Muscles become weak and sore
- Exhaustion, pain in the whole body
- Eating disorders
- Weight reduction
- Intense pain in the head
- Sweating during the night
- Persistent pain in the abdomen
Brucella symptoms may disappear in some cases. Patients can stop complaining about this disease for a long time. In some people, the disease becomes entrenched and chronic. Symptoms can last for many years even after the treatment is over.
What Risks Does Brucella Cause?
Brucella is commonly seen in men. People with the following risk factors are more likely to develop this disease. We can list the risk factors caused by brucellosis as follows;
- Those who consume foods containing unkilled milk from cattle infected with the virus
- People in environments where brucellosis is spreading
- Workers in a meat processing plant or slaughterhouse
- People working on the farm
- Microbiology specialists
How is Brucellosis Diagnosed?
Brucellosis is very difficult to diagnose. There are often mild and vague symptoms, or a variety of symptoms depending on the type of virus involved. In addition, there are many different conditions that cause inflammatory symptoms that are not as clear-cut. For the diagnosis, the medical history, complaints and medical history of the affected person are first observed. This is followed by a physical examination. Some of the findings detected in the physical examination are as follows;
- Enlargement occurs in the liver.
- Swollen lymph nodes are observed.
- Fever of unknown cause is observed.
- Bone swelling occurs.
- Flaky symptoms can be observed on the skin.
Different examinations are then carried out to identify the disease and the type of virus involved. The correct identification of the viruses contributes to the application of the treatment method and the determination of the germ outflow.
In the blood fluid, clear antibodies to the virus causing the infection can be detected. A personalized treatment method is then applied by the specialist.
How is brucellosis treated?
Antibiotics are applied in the treatment of brucellosis . For treatment, supplements given under the control of a doctor should be taken regularly for a minimum of 42 days. Brucella is resistant to treatment and is likely to recur.
To minimize this risk, penicillin treatment is required continuously for a period of time. The disease can recur again. In other people, this process can continue for a long time. People who receive early intervention at the onset of symptoms and receive prompt treatment within 30 days are much more likely to be completely well.