Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236459
Title: Brucella

Author
item Olsen, Steven
item BELLAIRE, BRIAN - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item ROOP II, R - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item THOEN, C - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2009
Publication Date: 5/1/2010
Citation: Olsen, S.C., Bellaire, B.H., Roop Ii, R.M., Thoen, C.O. 2010. Brucella. In: Gyles, C.L., Prescott, J.F., Songer, J.G., Thoen, C.O., editors. Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections in Animals. 4th edition. Singapore: Wiley-Blackwell. p. 429-441.

Interpretive Summary: Brucella are intracellular pathogens that cause reproductive losses in animals and zoonotic infections in people. Although named by preferred host species, members of the Brucella genus are capable of infecting multiple species. In preferred hosts, clinical symptoms are generally minimal whereas more severe symptoms are seen in aberrant hosts. Brucella use multiple molecular mechanisms to modify their environment in host cells and facilitate survival and replication. Immunologic protection against brucellosis is via cell-mediated immunity. Regulatory programs are present in many countries to control pathogenic Brucella as control of brucellosis in animal hosts has economic benefits over treatment of human illness.

Technical Abstract: Brucella are intracellular pathogens that cause reproductive losses in animals and zoonotic infections in people. Although named by preferred host species, members of the Brucella genus are capable of infecting multiple species. In preferred hosts, clinical symptoms are generally minimal whereas more severe symptoms are seen in aberrant hosts. Brucella use multiple molecular mechanisms to modify their environment in host cells and facilitate survival and replication. Immunologic protection against brucellosis is via cell-mediated immunity. Regulatory programs are present in many countries to control pathogenic Brucella as control of brucellosis in animal hosts has economic benefits over treatment of human illness.