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Person-to-person transmission of Brucella melitensis
1Division of Infectious Diseases, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073.
Abstract:
Human brucellosis is primarily an occupational hazard in the USA; in the Middle East and Africa ingestion of contaminated dairy products is an important route of infection. Whether human beings can become infected via person-to-person spread is uncertain. During an investigation of a commonsource, laboratory-associated outbreak due to Brucella melitensis, biotype 3, the wife of a microbiologist with serologically proven brucellosis became infected. Her blood isolate was indistinguishable from the epidemic strain. In the absence of other risk factors, we suggest that sexual intercourse is a possible means of transmission.
Insights
Human brucellosis transmission is uncertain. A laboratory outbreak suggests Brucella melitensis can spread person-to-person through sexual contact, challenging previous understanding of this infectious disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human brucellosis is a significant public health concern, with transmission routes varying geographically.
- In the USA, it's mainly an occupational hazard, while contaminated dairy products are key in the Middle East and Africa.
- The possibility of human-to-human transmission of brucellosis remains largely unconfirmed.
Observation:
- A laboratory-associated outbreak of Brucella melitensis, biotype 3, was investigated.
- A microbiologist's wife contracted brucellosis during this outbreak.
- Her infection was linked to the same strain affecting her husband.
Findings:
- The wife had no other identifiable risk factors for brucellosis.
- The blood isolate from the wife was genetically identical to the epidemic strain.
- This case suggests sexual intercourse as a potential route for Brucella melitensis transmission.
Implications:
- This finding expands the understanding of brucellosis transmission dynamics.
- It highlights the need for considering non-traditional transmission routes in public health.
- Further research is warranted to confirm and delineate the role of sexual transmission in human brucellosis.