Symptoms include a headache, cyclical fever, migratory arthralgia, myalgia, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, miscarriage, transaminitis, orchitis, epididymitis, endocarditis, meningoencephalitis, and anemia. Brucella has been shown to cause sacroiliitis, osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis, septic arthritis, and epidural abscess. Hepatic abscesses and granulomas occur in some cases. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and infection of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt have been reported. Respiratory symptoms including a cough, dyspnea, and pleurisy may occur; however, in most cases, chest radiography is normal, although focal abscesses, effusions, granulomas, and abscesses have occurred. Neurologic symptoms and Guillain-Barre syndrome have been associated with acute neurobrucellosis. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and myelitis also have been observed. Skin lesions such as maculopapular eruptions, erythema nodosum, abscesses, and panniculitis have been reported. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura has occurred. Death occurs in 2% of cases. Endocarditis rarely occurs; however, it is the most common cause of death from brucellosis. Aortic fistulas have also been documented. Patients have been reported to have particularly foul-smelling perspiration that has been described as similar to mold or wet hay. The physical examination is most often normal, although lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly may be found. 

Brucellosis may be diagnosed by blood cultures in tryptose medium; however, because of the slow-growing nature of Brucella, the cultures may take a week or more to become positive. Bone marrow culture has a higher yield than blood cultures. Standard agglutination testing is the most common method of diagnosis in endemic areas. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Rose Bengal testing also may be used. Laboratory testing on the patient may show anemia, leukopenia, or pancytopenia as well as elevated C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and transaminases. Pedro Pons sign, erosion of the anterior superior aspect of lumbar vertebrae with osteophytosis, is associated with spondylodiscitis caused by Brucella. Disc space narrowing, bone destruction, and sclerosis may be seen on imaging in patients with spondylitis. Nonspecific hepatitis and granulomas may be observed on liver biopsy. [8]

Doxycycline is used in conjunction with either streptomycin, rifampin, gentamicin, or sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim to treat brucellosis; because the bacteria reside within cells, several weeks of treatment are needed. Treating with a single antibiotic should be avoided, as there is a high rate of relapse when a combination regimen is not used. In children, a regimen of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and rifampin for 4 to 6 weeks may be used, since children should not be treated with doxycycline. Pregnant women may be treated with rifampin during pregnancy, with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole added postpartum. The infected heart valves of patients with endocarditis may need to be replaced and repair of aortic and aortopulmonary fistulas have been performed. Surgical debridement and bone grafting of patients with spondylitis also have been performed. Dairy herds in the United States are tested for brucellosis yearly, and cows are vaccinated against the disease; accidental exposure to the cow vaccine has been shown to cause the disease in humans.[9][10]

• Epstein bar virus infectious mononucleosis

• Infective endocarditis

• Influenza

• Leptospirosis

• Malaria

• Mechanical back pain

• Meningitis

• Mycoplasmal pneumonia

Although it may take time to obtain control of the symptoms, the prognosis for most patients with brucellosis is excellent. The overall risk of relapse is very low. however, in patients with comorbid disorders like heart or lung disease, the condition can be disabling. Unlike many other infection disorders, the condition tends to improve with physical activity rather than bed rest. The recovery usually takes 3-6 months. When recurrence does occur, it may be either local or systemic.

• Cardiovascular
• Genitourinary
• CNS
• Hematologic
• Musculoskeletal
• Gastrointestinal and/or hepatobiliary
• Abscess in the spinal cord, spleen or thyroid

The majority of patients are managed as outpatients unless there are complications. Avoiding contact with the source of infection is important. To ensure the patient is responding to treatment, serological monitoring is required. Compliance with medical treatment is essential for a full recovery.

• Keep away from animals
• remain compliant with medications until full recovery is complete.

Brucella species have been successfully developed into biological weapons by the United States and several countries, although it is not known to have been used in war. B. suis (agent US), B. melitensis (agent AM), and B. abortus (agent AB) were all researched by the United States for its biological warfare program; however, their lethality of less than 5% made them less than ideal for military leaders who were seeking lethal agents. Brucella is easily aerosolized and survives well after aerosolization. In the event of a biological attack or a laboratory accident involving a Brucella species, treatment with one of the antibiotic regimens mentioned above should be considered. Antibiotic prophylaxis is not generally recommended for exposure to endemic Brucella species, and prevention is best achieved by wearing appropriate protection when working with infected animals, adequately cooking meat products and pasteurization of dairy products. Although vaccines are available for animals, there is no human vaccine to prevent Brucella infection. 

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease that is transmitted to humans from ruminants. While the disease is on the decline, epidemiological surveillance is vital to detect any outbreak or local emergence in humans or animals. Expert evidence indicates that brucellosis is best managed by an interprofessional team of health care workers that includes an epidemiologist, an infectious disease consultant, internists, a pharmacist, and a nurse.[11][12] (Level V)

Because the disease is acquired from wildlife, it is vital to educate the patient and family on avoidance of exposure. Since brucellosis can present with the involvement of almost any organ system, high suspicion should be maintained. The medical laboratory is essential to help make the diagnosis of the disease. Once the infection is treated, the pharmacist should ensure that the patient remains compliant with drug therapy. In addition, if there is any evidence of recurrence, the patient should be referred to an internist for serological studies. Countless studies show that an interprofessional approach to brucellosis results in a complete cure within 4-6 months, with excellent outcomes. [13][14](Level V)