David Bruce

David Bruce

Sir David Bruce

Born	29 May 1855
Birth place	Melbourne, Australia
Died	27 November 1931
Place of death	London, England
Nationality	British
Known for	Discovering the cause of brucellosis and sleeping sickness

Sir David Bruce (29 May 1855 – 27 November 1931) was a pioneering microbiologist and pathologist known for his groundbreaking work in identifying the causative agents of several infectious diseases, including brucellosis and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). His contributions to medical science have had a lasting impact on the field of infectious disease research.

Early Life and Education

David Bruce was born in Melbourne, Australia, to Scottish parents. He moved to Scotland at the age of five. Bruce attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied medicine and graduated with an MBChB in 1881. His early interest in pathology and microbiology was evident during his time at university.

Career and Discoveries

Malta Fever (Brucellosis)

In 1884, Bruce joined the British Army Medical Service and was stationed in Malta. During his service, he investigated an outbreak of a mysterious fever affecting soldiers and civilians, known as "Malta fever." Through meticulous research, Bruce identified the causative organism, a bacterium he named Micrococcus melitensis, now known as Brucella melitensis. This discovery was crucial in understanding and controlling the disease, which is now referred to as brucellosis.

Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis)

In 1894, Bruce was sent to South Africa to study an outbreak of a disease affecting cattle, known as nagana. He discovered that the disease was caused by a protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, transmitted by the tsetse fly. This work laid the foundation for his later research on African trypanosomiasis in humans, commonly known as sleeping sickness. Bruce's identification of the vector and the pathogen was instrumental in developing strategies to combat the disease.

Honors and Legacy

David Bruce's contributions to medical science were recognized with numerous honors. He was knighted in 1908 for his services to medicine. The genus Brucella and the species Trypanosoma brucei were named in his honor, reflecting his significant impact on the field of microbiology.

Bruce's work has had a lasting influence on the study and treatment of infectious diseases. His methods of isolating and identifying pathogens set a standard for future research in microbiology and pathology.

Personal Life

David Bruce married Mary Elizabeth Steele in 1883, who was a supportive partner in his research endeavors. The couple had no children. Bruce retired in 1919 and spent his later years in London, where he continued to engage with the scientific community until his death in 1931.

Also see

• Brucellosis
• African trypanosomiasis
• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Tsetse fly