B. abortus
Brucella abortus[edit | edit source]
Brucella abortus is a Gram-negative bacterium that is one of the causative agents of brucellosis, a zoonotic infection that primarily affects cattle but can also infect humans. This bacterium is of significant concern in veterinary and human medicine due to its impact on livestock health and its potential to cause disease in humans.
Taxonomy and Morphology[edit | edit source]
Brucella abortus belongs to the genus Brucella, which is part of the family Brucellaceae. The genus is named after Sir David Bruce, who first isolated the organism. B. abortus is a small, non-motile, coccobacillus that is facultatively intracellular, meaning it can survive and replicate inside host cells.
Pathogenesis[edit | edit source]
B. abortus primarily infects cattle, causing abortion in pregnant cows, which is a major economic concern in the livestock industry. The bacterium is transmitted through contact with infected animals or their secretions, such as milk, urine, and placental fluids. In humans, B. abortus can cause undulant fever, a condition characterized by recurrent fevers, joint pain, and fatigue.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of B. abortus infection in cattle is typically performed using serological tests such as the Rose Bengal test, complement fixation test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In humans, diagnosis may involve blood cultures and serological tests to detect antibodies against Brucella species.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of brucellosis in humans involves a combination of antibiotics, typically doxycycline and rifampin, for an extended period to prevent relapse. In cattle, control measures include vaccination with the Brucella abortus strain 19 or RB51 vaccines and culling of infected animals.
Prevention and Control[edit | edit source]
Preventive measures for B. abortus include vaccination of livestock, pasteurization of milk, and implementation of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of infection. In endemic areas, public health education is crucial to reduce the risk of transmission to humans.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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