An overview of human brucellosis: a neglected zoonotic disease in livestock

Abstract

SUMMARY: Brucellosis is a neglected, zoonotic bacterial disease in humans with over 500, 000 new cases reported each year worldwide. Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis and B. canis have been detected in humans as causative agents of this zoonotic infection. The incidence of brucellosis varies greatly with several factors such as socio-economic status, association with livestock, occupation and food safety practices. Brucellosis is an endemic disease in Sri Lanka and only a few cases have been reported in humans in recent years. Human brucellosis is a common disease in the Mediterranean region , Middle East, Asia, South and Central America and Africa. The organism infects multiple hosts. Multiple routes of infection have been described for humans, the oral route being the most common. The common clinical signs in humans are undulant fever, fatigue, headache, chills and myalgia. Other signs and symptoms such as arthralgia, orchitis/epididymitis, acute renal failure, endocarditis, splenic abscess, spondylitis, arthritis, encephalitis hepatitis, osteoarticular manifestations, meningitis, and respiratory and cardiac complications also had been reported. Bacteriological culture, serology and nucleic acid amplification assays have been used as the basic diagnostic methods of brucellosis. The prevention strategy of human brucellosis recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) mainly consists of creating public awareness, improving hygienic practices in livestock farms and slaughterhouses, promoting the consumption of pasteurized milk, consumption of cooked meat, adhering to hygienic practices during laboratory handling of the organism and proper handling of companion animals. The recommended prevention and control methods of brucellosis in animals include culling of infected animals, vaccination and restriction of the movement of serologically positive animals. In conclusion, further emphasis must be given to improving diagnostic testing and raising awareness of brucellosis and its zoonotic implications among humans.