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08
Apr
Brucella melitensis: PCR Detection and Clinical Overview
Brucella melitensis, the causative agent of Malta fever (undulant fever), is one of the most virulent species within the Brucella genus. It is a zoonotic pathogen that significantly impacts both livestock production and human health, particularly in regions such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Central Asia.
Brucella melitensis, the causative agent of Malta fever (undulant fever), is one of the most virulent species within the Brucella genus. It is a zoonotic pathogen that significantly impacts both livestock production and human health, particularly in regions such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Central Asia.
I Taxonomy and Biological Characteristics
B. melitensis is a small Gram-negative coccobacillus that appears singly or in pairs.
It is non-motile, non-spore-forming, and strictly aerobic, with slow growth requiring several days to weeks to form small, translucent colonies.
A key virulence factor is its intracellular parasitism, allowing survival and replication within macrophages, leading to chronic infection and immune evasion.
II Reservoirs and Transmission
The primary natural reservoirs are goats and sheep.
Infected animals may exhibit abortion, infertility, or orchitis, but are often asymptomatic carriers that shed bacteria via milk, reproductive secretions, and feces.
Transmission routes to humans include:
- Direct contact with infected animals or contaminated materials
- Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or undercooked meat
- Inhalation of contaminated aerosols in laboratory or farm environments
III Clinical Manifestations
Human infection leads to brucellosis, with an incubation period of 1–4 weeks (sometimes longer).
Acute phase:
Characterized by undulating fever, night sweats, fatigue, headache, and joint or muscle pain, often accompanied by hepatosplenomegaly.
Chronic phase:
Untreated cases may progress to chronic disease with persistent low-grade fever, fatigue, depression, and complications such as arthritis, spondylitis, endocarditis, and reproductive system inflammation.
Due to non-specific symptoms, brucellosis is frequently misdiagnosed as influenza
Biofargo team
