Brucellosis

Definition

Brucellosis is an anthropozoonotic infection, endemic in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, Latin America and parts of Asia and Africa, that is caused by gram-negative coccobacilli of the genus Brucella transmitted through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or through direct contact with infected animals, placentas or aborted fetuses. Brucellosis is characterized by fever, fatigue, malaise, headache, anorexia, weight loss, sweating, osteomuscular pain (joint and lumbar pain), and arthritis.