Brucella canis: Difference between revisions

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Brucella canis

File:Brucella canis PIXNIO-38568-4206x3153.jpg

Brucella canis bacteria under a microscope

Brucella canis is a species of the genus Brucella, which is a group of Gram-negative bacteria. This particular species is known to cause brucellosis in dogs, and it can also infect humans, although such cases are rare. Brucella canis is a significant pathogen in veterinary medicine due to its impact on canine health and its zoonotic potential.

Characteristics

Brucella canis is a small, non-motile, aerobic coccobacillus. It is a facultative intracellular pathogen, meaning it can survive and replicate within host cells. The bacterium is known for its ability to evade the host's immune system, leading to chronic infections. It is typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or their secretions.

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of Brucella canis involves the bacterium entering the host through mucous membranes or broken skin. Once inside, it is phagocytosed by macrophages and other immune cells. However, Brucella canis has evolved mechanisms to survive and replicate within these cells, avoiding destruction by the host's immune system. This intracellular lifestyle allows the bacteria to disseminate throughout the body, leading to systemic infection.

Clinical Manifestations

In dogs, Brucella canis infection can lead to a variety of clinical signs, including reproductive issues such as abortion, infertility, and epididymitis. Other symptoms may include lethargy, lameness, and lymphadenopathy. In humans, infection is rare but can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and joint pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Brucella canis infection is typically achieved through serological tests, such as the rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) or the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. Culture of the organism from blood or tissue samples can also be performed, although it is less commonly used due to the risk of laboratory-acquired infections.

Treatment

Treatment of Brucella canis infection in dogs often involves a combination of antibiotics, such as doxycycline and rifampin. However, treatment can be challenging due to the bacterium's ability to persist within host cells. Infected animals may require long-term therapy and monitoring.

Prevention

Preventing Brucella canis infection involves controlling the spread of the bacterium among dog populations. This includes testing and isolating infected animals, practicing good hygiene, and implementing biosecurity measures in breeding facilities. Vaccines are not currently available for Brucella canis.

Related Pages

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-{{jpg-image}}'''Brucella canis''' is a [[bacteria|bacterial]] species that is a significant pathogen in [[canines]], causing brucellosis in dogs. This disease is of particular concern due to its zoonotic potential, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, posing public health risks. Brucella canis is part of the [[Brucellaceae]] family, which comprises several species known to cause brucellosis in various animal hosts, including cattle, swine, and goats.
+== Brucella canis ==
-==Overview==
+[[File:Brucella_canis_PIXNIO-38568-4206x3153.jpg|thumb|right|Brucella canis bacteria under a microscope]]
-Brucella canis is a small, non-motile, gram-negative [[coccus]]. It is an intracellular pathogen, which complicates its detection and eradication because it can hide within host cells. The bacterium is primarily transmitted among dogs through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or via contaminated objects. Vertical transmission from pregnant females to their offspring is also common.
-==Symptoms and Diagnosis==
+'''Brucella canis''' is a species of the genus [[Brucella]], which is a group of Gram-negative bacteria. This particular species is known to cause [[brucellosis]] in dogs, and it can also infect humans, although such cases are rare. Brucella canis is a significant pathogen in veterinary medicine due to its impact on canine health and its zoonotic potential.
-In dogs, the infection may result in a range of symptoms, from mild or asymptomatic to severe. Common signs include infertility, abortion in pregnant females, lethargy, lymphadenopathy, and occasionally, spinal pain or spondylitis. Diagnosis of Brucella canis infection is challenging due to its often subtle or non-specific clinical signs. It typically involves serological tests to detect antibodies against the bacterium, along with culture and isolation of the organism from bodily fluids.
-==Treatment and Control==
+== Characteristics ==
-Treatment of Brucella canis infection can be difficult and may not always result in a cure. Long-term antibiotic therapy is usually required to manage the disease. However, due to the risk of zoonotic transmission, euthanasia of infected animals is sometimes recommended to prevent further spread. Preventive measures include regular screening of breeding dogs, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding contact with bodily fluids of infected animals.
-==Public Health Significance==
+Brucella canis is a small, non-motile, aerobic coccobacillus. It is a facultative intracellular pathogen, meaning it can survive and replicate within host cells. The bacterium is known for its ability to evade the host's immune system, leading to chronic infections. It is typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or their secretions.
-The zoonotic potential of Brucella canis poses a risk to human health, particularly for individuals who are in close contact with infected dogs, such as veterinarians, kennel workers, and dog owners. In humans, the disease can cause undulant fever, arthritis, and endocarditis, among other symptoms. Public health efforts focus on raising awareness, improving diagnostic methods, and implementing control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
+== Pathogenesis ==
+The pathogenesis of Brucella canis involves the bacterium entering the host through mucous membranes or broken skin. Once inside, it is phagocytosed by [[macrophages]] and other immune cells. However, Brucella canis has evolved mechanisms to survive and replicate within these cells, avoiding destruction by the host's immune system. This intracellular lifestyle allows the bacteria to disseminate throughout the body, leading to systemic infection.
+== Clinical Manifestations ==
+In dogs, Brucella canis infection can lead to a variety of clinical signs, including reproductive issues such as [[abortion]], infertility, and epididymitis. Other symptoms may include lethargy, lameness, and lymphadenopathy. In humans, infection is rare but can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and joint pain.
+== Diagnosis ==
+Diagnosis of Brucella canis infection is typically achieved through serological tests, such as the rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) or the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. Culture of the organism from blood or tissue samples can also be performed, although it is less commonly used due to the risk of laboratory-acquired infections.
+== Treatment ==
+Treatment of Brucella canis infection in dogs often involves a combination of antibiotics, such as doxycycline and rifampin. However, treatment can be challenging due to the bacterium's ability to persist within host cells. Infected animals may require long-term therapy and monitoring.
+== Prevention ==
+Preventing Brucella canis infection involves controlling the spread of the bacterium among dog populations. This includes testing and isolating infected animals, practicing good hygiene, and implementing biosecurity measures in breeding facilities. Vaccines are not currently available for Brucella canis.
+== Related Pages ==
-==See Also==
 * [[Brucellosis]]
 * [[Zoonosis]]
-* [[Bacterial Infections in Animals]]
+* [[Veterinary medicine]]
-[[Category:Bacterial Diseases]]
-[[Category:Dog Diseases]]
-[[Category:Zoonotic Diseases]]
-{{Veterinary-stub}}
+[[Category:Brucella]]
+[[Category:Veterinary microbiology]]
+[[Category:Zoonotic bacterial diseases]]