Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVII, Issue 2
Written by Ionuț RĂCĂȘANU, Sabina-Gabriela RĂCĂȘANU (GHIZDAVEȚ), Dănuț -Nicolae ENEA, Laura Florentina VLĂSCEANU, Livia VIDU, Monica MARIN, Gheorghe Emil MĂRGINEAN
Brucellosis is an infectious disease produced by bacteria of the genus Brucella spp. This disease mainly affects cows, sheep and goats, pigs and dogs. It is a zoonosis in humans it can be transmitted by 4 species of Brucella: B. suis, B. abortus, B. canis and B. melitensis, the latter being the most virulent. In animals the disease has a higher frequency of transmission during birth or abortion this being possible due to the fact that the bacteria colonize in the pregnant uterus. Once in the external environment, bacteria can survive for a long time, especially in wet and cold conditions, thus being able to be ingested by other animals. Colonization of bacteria at the level of the udder causes milk contamination. Male sperm, blood, urine and faeces of sick animals are also sources of contamination. The disease is transmitted to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized or insufficiently pasteurized milk or dairy products, consumption of meat prepared thermally insufficient or by direct contact with the infected animals, bacteria that enter the body through wounds on the skin or mucous membranes. The people most exposed to infection with Brucella spp. are represented by veterinarians, workers in slaughterhouses or farms, microbiologists. Human-to-human transmission of this zoonosis has proven to be extremely rare, but nursing mothers can transmit the infection to their children.
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