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Human to human transmission of Brucella melitensis

P Vigeant1, J Mendelson, M A Miller

  • 1Department of Microbiology, SMBD-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.

The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases = Journal Canadien Des Maladies Infectieuses
|April 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Human brucellosis, typically from animals or unpasteurized dairy, may spread between people. This case suggests person-to-person transmission of Brucella melitensis is possible, challenging previous assumptions.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Human brucellosis is a zoonotic infection primarily transmitted through animal contact, contaminated food, or aerosols.
  • The transmission routes of Brucellosis, particularly person-to-person spread, remain incompletely understood and debated in medical literature.

Observation:

  • A case study details a woman diagnosed with confirmed brucellosis.
  • Her husband had a documented relapse of bacteremia caused by Brucella melitensis biotype 3, contracted abroad from goat cheese.

Findings:

  • The temporal and epidemiological link between the husband's relapse and the wife's diagnosis suggests a potential transmission pathway.
  • Person-to-person spread of Brucella melitensis is postulated as a likely mode of transmission in this specific instance.

Implications:

  • This case challenges the established understanding of brucellosis transmission dynamics.
  • Further research into human-to-human transmission of brucellosis is warranted to inform public health strategies.
  • Understanding all transmission routes is crucial for effective prevention and control of Brucellosis outbreaks.
Keywords:
Brucella melitensisBrucellosis

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