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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBrucellosis is an infectious disease that spreads from animals to people — most often via unpasteurized milk, cheese and other dairy products. More rarely, the bacteria that cause brucellosis can spread through the air or through direct contact with infected animals.
Brucellosis symptoms include fever, joint pain and fatigue. The infection can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics. Treatment takes several weeks, however, and relapses are common.
While brucellosis is uncommon in the United States, the disease affects hundreds of thousands of people and animals worldwide. Avoiding unpasteurized dairy products and taking precautions when working with animals or in a laboratory can help prevent brucellosis.
- Brucellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/brucellosis_g.htm. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Salata RA. Brucellosis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/219300457-3/1055876208/1492/1162.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50336-0_14353. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Everett ED. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Cristofaro P, et al. Brucellosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis & Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00011-1--sc0120&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1055876208&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00011-1--sc0120&uniqId=219300457-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00011-1--sc0120. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
- Dokuzoguz B, et al. Brucellosis. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00002-8--sc0030&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&sid=1055982062&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00002-8--sc0030&uniqId=219300457-6#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00002-8--sc0030. Accessed Sept. 20, 2010.
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