In the past, brucellosis was primarily an occupational disease acquired by persons handling infected animals, their tissues or carcasses. In California in recent years, the majority of cases are foodborne associated with the ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products, acquired while traveling in foreign countries. Occupationally acquired infections have been known for decades to occur among laboratory workers through close contact with Brucella isolates or direct contact with infected tissue, blood or urine . Brucellosis is a systemic bacterial disease with acute onset in about half of cases and insidious onset in the rest. Symptoms usually begin from 2-8 weeks after exposure and include continued, intermittent, or irregular fever, headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills and arthralgia.
Depression is common and often severe.
Many organs and tissues can be involved. Serious complications and occasionally death can occur. Brucellosis may last for several days, months, or occasionally for a year or more if the patient is inadequately tested. Prior to antibiotics, it was a chronic relapsing infection. The use of appropriate therapy shortens thedurationofillnessandreducestheincidenceofdisablingcomplications.