Description An infection caused...
Description
An infection caused by the Brucella bacteria. Patients become infected by coming in contact with the meat or ingesting the milk/cheese of infected animals. The most commonly infected animals include cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, and camels. The disease is very rare in the United States. The bacteria may infect the bones (osteomyelitis), the brain (encephalitis), the heart valves (endocarditis), or the covering of the brain (meningitis).
Symptoms
Fever, abdominal pain, back pain, fatigue, decreased appetite, headache, unexplained weight loss, sweating, and joint pain. The fever can go up and down quite suddenly. More severely ill people may experience confusion, stiff neck, and coma.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be done. The bacteria can be cultured. Blood tests can be performed to identify the antigen of the bacteria or the antibody (IgM) against the bacteria. Depending on the symptoms other blood tests and imaging tests may be performed.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be done. The bacteria can be cultured. Blood tests can be performed to identify the antigen of the bacteria or the antibody (IgM) against the bacteria. Depending on the symptoms other blood tests and imaging tests may be performed.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Treatment
The following antibiotics are prescribed: for non-pregnant adults doxycycline or ciprofloxacin, for children rifampin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Other treatments are dependence on the severity of the infection.