BACKGROUND: Human brucellosis is common in southern Israel among the semi-nomadic Bedouin, a population that consumes unpasteurized dairy products. Though camel milk ingestion is a known mechanism for brucellosis acquisition, only a few reports of sporadic cases have been published in the medical literature. OBJECTIVES: To describe a local brucellosis outbreak in 15 extended Bedouin family members, following ingestion of infected camel milk. METHODS: Data regarding patient's clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome were collected from the hospital and the health fund clinics' computerized database. Camel's blood and milk were tested for Brucella serology and culture. Cases were defined by positive Rose Bengal test, symptoms correlating with brucellosis, and consumption of infected camel milk. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were diagnosed with acute brucellosis from March to June 2011. Sixty percent of cases had serum agglutination test titers of 1:160 or higher and 4/8 (50%) had positive blood culture for Brucella melitensis. Arthralgia and fever were the most consistent clinical manifestations. Blood and milk serology and milk culture taken from the female camel were positive for Brucella melitensis. CONCLUSIONS: The treating physicians must consider the possibility of infected camel milk ingestion as the mode of infection, both in sporadic cases and in outbreaks of brucellosis.
BACKGROUND:Humanbrucellosis is common in southern Israel among the semi-nomadic Bedouin, a population that consumes unpasteurized dairy products. Though camel milk ingestion is a known mechanism for brucellosis acquisition, only a few reports of sporadic cases have been published in the medical literature. OBJECTIVES: To describe a local brucellosis outbreak in 15 extended Bedouin family members, following ingestion of infected camel milk. METHODS: Data regarding patient's clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome were collected from the hospital and the health fund clinics' computerized database. Camel's blood and milk were tested for Brucella serology and culture. Cases were defined by positive Rose Bengal test, symptoms correlating with brucellosis, and consumption of infected camel milk. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were diagnosed with acute brucellosis from March to June 2011. Sixty percent of cases had serum agglutination test titers of 1:160 or higher and 4/8 (50%) had positive blood culture for Brucella melitensis. Arthralgia and fever were the most consistent clinical manifestations. Blood and milk serology and milk culture taken from the female camel were positive for Brucella melitensis. CONCLUSIONS: The treating physicians must consider the possibility of infected camel milk ingestion as the mode of infection, both in sporadic cases and in outbreaks of brucellosis.
Authors: Shama Cash-Goldwasser; Michael J Maze; Matthew P Rubach; Holly M Biggs; Robyn A Stoddard; Katrina J Sharples; Jo E B Halliday; Sarah Cleaveland; Michael C Shand; Blandina T Mmbaga; Charles Muiruri; Wilbrod Saganda; Bingileki F Lwezaula; Rudovick R Kazwala; Venance P Maro; John A Crump Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2017-12-07 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Dishon Muloi; Pablo Alarcon; Jackson Ombui; Kisa J Ngeiywa; Bulle Abdullahi; Patrick Muinde; Maurice K Karani; Jonathan Rushton; Eric M Fèvre Journal: Prev Vet Med Date: 2018-09-13 Impact factor: 2.670
Authors: Jeffrey T Foster; Faith M Walker; Brandy D Rannals; M Hammad Hussain; Kevin P Drees; Rebekah V Tiller; Alex R Hoffmaster; Abdulmajeed Al-Rawahi; Paul Keim; Muhammad Saqib Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2018-01-15 Impact factor: 5.640