Causes and risk factors
Brucellosis is caused by consuming raw dairy products like unpasteurized milk, cheese, ice cream; eating under cooked meat. It may be caused by inhalation of the bacteria from air. Entry of bacteria through cut or wound on the skin is also a possible cause. Infection can also spread from mother to their baby through breast feeding. Brucellosis can be transmitted by direct contact with blood, semen of infected animals. Risk of developing brucellosis is high in dairy farmers, veterinarians, microbiologists, workers of slaughter houses, and hunters.
Clinical presentation
Patient of brucellosis presents with fever, malaise, loss of appetite, night sweats, headache, wandering muscle and joint pain. Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation may occur. Respiratory symptoms include cough, dyspnoea. Involvement of CNS may cause neurological symptoms like dizziness, unsteady gait, seizures, and coma. Cardiac complications like pulmonary oedema may also be seen in brucellosis.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Routine blood test is done to detect antibodies. Blood, CSF, bone marrow culture is done to detect bacteria. Imaging studies such as X ray, CT scan and MRI may reveal changes in the bones and joints. Echocardiography is recommended to detect changes in heart.
Treatment
A course of oral or intramuscular injection of antibiotics for 6 weeks helps in treating brucellosis. Further treatment is recommended in case of cardiopulmonary or neurological complications.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating brucellosis. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating brucellosis.
