Brucellosis is a lesion of the sexual, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems caused by the activity of brucella. Brucella are resistant to environmental influences, so they can persist in it for quite a long time. They die when exposed to disinfectants and when heated.
Causes of brucellosis
Brucella cannot be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one. The main natural reservoir and source of infection are animals on farmsteads and farms (pigs, cows, sheep). Infection with this disease from an infected animal occurs by air, food or contact. As a rule, this happens when the amniotic fluid of an infected animal gets on the human skin. Infection is possible when in contact with the meat of diseased animals or with manure. Brucella is able to penetrate even through minimal damage to the skin. Food contamination occurs when eating brucella-contaminated dairy products (butter, cheese) or raw milk.
As a rule, brucellosis is an occupational disease of livestock breeders.
Symptoms of brucellosis
Brucellosis develops already when more than 10 microbes enter the body. There are no changes at the site of infection (respiratory tract, digestive organs, skin microtrauma). Gradually, brucella penetrate into the lymph nodes, where their active development takes place, and from there they spread throughout the bloodstream. With brucellosis, an active allergic restructuring occurs in the human body. This infection is characterized by a chronic course, since brucella can stay in the body for many years.
The transferred disease forms the immune system. But it is not long-lasting. As a rule, it is limited to a five-year period. After that, re-infection is possible.
The reaction of the human body to the penetration of this infection depends on the current state of the patient’s immune system. This circumstance provokes an asymptomatic course. And in some cases, an active infectious process begins.
Acute brucellosis
In the acute-septic form of the disease, the presence of a high temperature is characteristic, which, however, does not have a negative effect on the general well-being of a person, without interfering with his habitual lifestyle. This is a non-dangerous form of brucellosis, which ends in recovery, even in the absence of medical treatment.
Chronic brucellosis
In this form of the disease, the presence of general intoxication is characteristic, occurring with headache and weakness, with a decrease in working capacity. There is also a low temperature, lack of appetite, poor sleep, irritability, and, as a rule, an increase in lymph nodes. There may be an increase in the spleen and liver. All this gradually leads to damage to the sexual and nervous system and damage to the joints.
Chronic brucellosis is characterized by damage to the musculoskeletal system, pain in joints and muscles. There is a restriction of mobility of the joints: hip, elbow, knee and shoulder, due to their swelling and swelling. There is a pathological proliferation of bone tissue, accompanied by deformational changes in the joints. There is a lesion of the spine, most often in the lumbar region.
Diagnosis of brucellosis
The diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical manifestations, collection of anamnesis and complaints, laboratory tests. Among them:
serological diagnostics for the detection of antibodies in the blood of the diagnosed;
bakposev punctate of bone marrow, lymph nodes, blood;
Wright ‘s reaction in the acute form of the disease;
the Kumbas reaction in the chronic form of the disease.
To assess the sensitization of the body to brucella, a Burnet test is performed.
Treatment of brucellosis
The choice of therapy for this disease directly depends on its form. Antibacterial therapy is effective only in the acute form of the disease. In case of chronic infection, the main treatment is vaccination.
In the acute form of brucellosis, antibiotics are prescribed in large doses to prevent the further transition of the disease into a chronic form.
For the effective treatment of chronic brucellosis, drugs with a desensitizing effect are prescribed. In particular, vaccine therapy has proven itself well, which has a stimulating effect on the human body. In addition, vitamin therapy and hematopoiesis stimulants are additionally prescribed.
