How to recognize brucellosis. Symptoms of brucellosis in humans, routes of transmission and treatment. Signs of brucellosis affecting various organs

It is quite rare, but it is very difficult. At the same time, it is possible if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and undergo a comprehensive procedure.

Drug therapy

After a thorough examination, specialists usually prescribe bacterial therapy, which is based on the tetracycline group. In addition, the patient should take drugs such as Rifampicin and Doxycycline for a month. Along with them, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs such as Indomethacin are prescribed, as well as drugs that relieve pain, since it is one of the symptoms of brucellosis.

During drug therapy, attention is paid to increasing the body's protective functions. Therefore, patients must take vitamin complexes. In addition, Timalin and Dibazol are prescribed to prevent complications. Experts also recommend increasing the proportion of vegetables and fruits in the diet during this period.

If the patient experiences pathological changes in the nervous system and orchitis is present, long-term use of glucocorticosteroid drugs is required. During the period of remission, physiotherapy is carried out, including paraffin baths and UHF.

Treatment of brucellosis with folk remedies

Folk remedies can help cure brucellosis. They must be used together with drug therapy and always after consultation with a doctor.

Epsom salt helps a lot with this type of illness. It must be taken in an amount of 200 g and diluted with 1 liter of boiling water. Add 100 ml of citrus and carrot juice to the mixture. The resulting composition must be drunk every 30 minutes. On the first day, you can’t consume anything else besides it. Over the next 3 days, you can drink vegetable juices, and at night you need to do cleansing enemas every day.

Herbal collection is no less effective in the treatment of brucellosis. You need to take 1 tbsp. spoon of willow bark, elderberry flowers, parsley root, nettle leaves and pour 500 ml of hot water. All this is put on fire, brought to a boil and kept for 20 minutes. After which the infusion is filtered and consumed hot, 150 ml every 2 hours.

You can also take a sarsaparilla root tincture. You need to take 100 grams of it and pour 2 liters of grape wine. All this is left for 14 days in a dark place at a temperature of 22 degrees. Take 10 ml tincture 1 hour before meals 3 times a day.

Brucellosis is one of the infectious diseases that humans encounter through contact with infected animals and their waste products. Symptoms and treatment of brucellosis in humans depend on the type of bacterium; the disease can be mild or lead to the development of severe multiple organ failure, leading to the death of the patient.

Brucellosis - what is it?

Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease prone to chronicity - the disease is characterized by damage to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, as well as the genitals and heart.

For the first time, the disease was widely discussed back in the 19th century, when English scientists isolated the microbes that cause this disease. The disease was named after the scientist’s surname, and the microorganisms themselves were named Brucella.

The causative agent of brucellosis is a small, non-motile bacterium from the genus Brucella. This genus consists of 6 species, each of which is further divided into several subtypes.

In humans, the disease is caused by three species of Brucella, the hosts of which are goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, hares and, less commonly, dogs.

Important! Determining the specific type of bacteria plays an important role in selecting treatment tactics and preventing the spread of the disease.

How is brucellosis transmitted, causes of infection?

Brucella has a pronounced penetrating ability and enters the body even through intact (undamaged) mucosa. The bacterium itself is very stable in the external environment and remains viable for up to several months, both in water and in meat.

When exposed to high temperatures, it dies almost instantly and is sensitive to the action of many antiseptics.

Brucellosis is transmitted to humans from various animals (goats, sheep, camels, yaks, pigs, etc.), which excrete the pathogen in feces, blood, saliva, milk and amniotic fluid. Transmission occurs by fecal-oral, less often contact and airborne routes.

The greatest danger comes from milk and dairy products, meat and wool. Insufficient heat treatment of meat, ingestion of a dust suspension containing brucella, consumption of raw contaminated water - all these and other factors can cause the development of the disease in humans.

The disease can be transmitted from mother to fetus during childbirth and during breastfeeding.

Important! Human susceptibility to brucellosis is very high, i.e. Contact or consumption of products contaminated with Brucella almost always leads to the development of the disease. Immunity is unstable and lasts for six months. Re-infection with another subtype of this bacterium is possible.

Symptoms of brucellosis in humans, first signs

Symptoms of brucellosis in humans depend on the stage and form of the disease. The incubation period (from the moment of infection to the first signs) lasts several weeks, less often it extends to a month.

According to the classification, there are several forms of brucellosis, their symptoms are different:

1. Acute. Develops relatively quickly. The patient is worried about low-grade fever, weakness, malaise, and joint pain. The lymph nodes gradually enlarge and the symptoms of intoxication increase: a high temperature appears, the person shudders and has a fever. Ultrasound reveals an increase in the size of the liver and spleen.

Against the background of a high temperature, the patient may feel relatively normal, which significantly complicates the early diagnosis of brucellosis, since many patients do not attach any importance to this.

With this form, attention is drawn to disorders in the psychoemotional sphere: hysteria, irritability, depression, decreased memory and performance. The patient is bothered by pain in the joints and muscles. Lymph nodes enlarge. The severity is determined by the type of pathogen and the individual characteristics of the patient.

2. Subacute. It occurs with constant relapses. Patients present various complaints: from joint pain and fatigue to decreased vision and loss of libido. Allergic manifestations of the disease develop: eczema, dermatitis, itchy skin and rash. Women may experience spontaneous miscarriages.

3. Chronic. Periods of relative improvement are followed by periods of high fever and severe symptoms. Among the symptoms of chronic brucellosis in humans, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, neurological disorders and pathology of the genitourinary system predominate in both men and women. Damage to almost all organs and systems develops.

4. Residual. The causative agent of the disease is no longer in the body, but signs of residual disorders of the nervous and motor systems remain. Fatigue, increased sweating, joint pain, muscle atrophy and other signs of brucellosis are observed.

Diagnosis of brucellosis

Diagnosis of brucellosis is carried out in specially equipped laboratories. To obtain a reliable result, several serological methods can be used at once.

Currently, isolation of the pathogen is not required, since the results can be obtained by simpler and more reliable tests for brucellosis (ELISA, RIF, etc.).

The specific Burnet test has become widespread. It is based on producing an allergic reaction on the skin when brucellin (a special protein from Brucella) is introduced into it.

If edema and hyperemia develop on the skin 20-25 minutes after the administration of this protein, the test is considered positive. This reaction is observed in all patients with brucellosis, even in those who had it several years ago.

Treatment of brucellosis is complex and depends on the form and symptoms of the pathology in a person. The following drugs are used for treatment:

Antibiotics. Several antibacterial drugs are used at once, which act on both intracellular and extracellular forms (Rifampicin, Ofloxacin, Doxycycline, etc.).
Painkillers. Also, for severe pain, novocaine blockades are used.
Detoxification drugs.
Anti-inflammatory and immunostimulants.

Today, the previously used anti-brucellosis vaccine is being abandoned due to its properties to suppress the immune system and enhance autoimmune reactions.

Prognosis and prevention

The prognosis is determined by the form of brucellosis and the condition of the internal organs at the time of treatment. In most cases, the prognosis for life is favorable, but the patient may be bothered by residual symptoms of the disease for a long time.

An important role is given to preventive measures. Conduct explanatory work on personal hygiene measures when working with animals and the inadmissibility of using thermally untreated products in disadvantaged areas. Persons whose profession involves animals are systematically screened for the presence of brucellosis. As auxiliary measures, vaccinations are carried out for both workers and animals.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that is transmitted through contact with a sick animal. It can occur in various forms and causes severe disorders of the nervous, musculoskeletal, reproductive and other systems.

Preventive measures and early diagnosis will help avoid the disease or cure it in the initial stages.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

What is brucellosis?

Brucellosis is an infectious disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Infection with brucellosis is characterized by increased proliferation of bacteria in the human body and activation of the human immune system, which together causes serious damage to the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, reproductive and many other systems and organs.

Pathogens and vectors of brucellosis (epidemiology of the disease)

The causative agents of brucellosis are bacteria from the genus Brucella, the main habitat of which is domestic and wild animals. In animals, these microorganisms do not cause an obvious clinical picture of the disease, but can lead to mass abortions and other pathologies. Science knows 6 species of Brucella, but 4 of them can cause pathology in humans.

Brucella can survive:

In water– up to 2 months.
In raw meat– up to 3 months.
In animal fur– up to 4 months.
At a temperature of 60 degrees– up to 30 minutes.

When boiling, these microorganisms die almost instantly, just as when exposed to various disinfectant solutions (0.2 - 1% solution of bleach, chloramine, and so on).

How can infection with brucellosis occur?

People with brucellosis are not contagious to each other, that is, a person can only become infected with this infection from an animal.

Brucellosis can be transmitted from animals to humans:

Fecal-oral (food) route. This is the main route of infection, in which bacteria enter the human body through the mucous membranes of the digestive system (when a person comes into contact with the urine or feces of infected animals and does not comply with personal hygiene rules). A person can also become infected by eating milk, cheese, feta cheese, poorly processed (thermally) meat and other products of animal origin.
Contact-household way. Characterized by the penetration of bacteria into the human body through damaged skin or mucous membranes. Sick animals contaminate (infect) with bacteria almost the entire environment around them - bedding, water, soil. That is why it is quite easy for a person working with animals to become infected with brucellosis (for example, when cleaning animal pens and not observing personal hygiene rules, when working with sheep wool, and so on).
By aerogenous route. In this case, a person inhales microparticles of dust or wool on which brucella are located. These microparticles are retained on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, from where the pathogen enters the body.

It is worth noting that brucellosis is widespread almost everywhere. However, the risk group includes people involved in livestock farming (shepherds, milkmaids), as well as workers in meat processing plants. Immunity after an infection lasts for 6 to 12 months, after which re-infection is possible.

Pathogenesis (mechanism of development) of brucellosis

As mentioned earlier, Brucella enters the human body through mucous membranes or through damaged skin (the damage does not have to be massive and noticeable; sometimes microcracks, which are present on the hands of almost any agricultural worker, are sufficient). It is important to note that no visible traces or pathological changes remain at the site of Brucella invasion, so it can be quite difficult to determine the exact time of infection.

After penetration into the human body, Brucella goes through several successive stages of development, which determines the clinical manifestations of the disease.

There are several phases in the development of brucellosis, namely:

Lymphogenic phase. Immediately after entering the tissues of the body, Brucella penetrates the lymphatic system and is carried into the regional lymph nodes with the lymph flow. Lymph nodes are unique filters consisting of a large number of lymphocytes (cells of the immune system). These filters trap all pathogenic microorganisms and other foreign particles that penetrate them from tissues. Brucella that has entered the body also lingers in the lymph nodes and interacts with lymphocytes, stimulating their increased division.
Primary latency phase. In this phase, Brucella multiply in the lymph nodes, as well as activation of the immune system and increased division of lymphocytes in response to the penetration of foreign agents (that is, the body begins to fight the infection). The first two phases of brucellosis correspond to the latent (hidden) course of the disease, when no clinical manifestations are observed.
The phase of hematogenous drift. At this stage, bacteria break through the lymphatic barrier and enter the blood. Their release of toxic substances, as well as activation of the immune system, determine the development of clinical manifestations of acute brucellosis.
The phase of damage to various organs and systems. With the bloodstream, bacteria are spread to many organs and tissues, where they are absorbed by special cells of the immune system (macrophages), whose purpose is to destroy (digest with the help of various enzymes) foreign agents. However, macrophages cannot completely “digest” the Brucella, which continue to develop inside them. As a result of this, so-called granulomas are formed in various tissues and organs, consisting of macrophages that have absorbed Brucella and surrounding cells of the immune system. Over time, the macrophage dies, and the infectious agent is released into the surrounding tissues and re-enters the bloodstream, which causes repeated cases of exacerbation of the disease.
The phase of reactive-allergic changes. As a result of the prolonged presence of pathogenic agents in the body, a pathological restructuring of the immune system occurs. Immune reactions become more pronounced, which in itself begins to have a damaging effect on various tissues and organs.

Symptoms and signs of brucellosis

Symptoms of brucellosis largely depend on the stage of its development, on the state of the patient’s immune system, as well as on the dose of the pathogen that initially entered the body (the higher it is, the faster and the more pronounced the clinical manifestations of the disease will appear). It is also worth noting that most severe forms of brucellosis are caused by B. melitensis, which humans can contract from small livestock.

Clinical manifestations of brucellosis can be:

swollen lymph nodes;
bone lesions;
joint damage;
lung lesions;
damage to the cardiovascular system;
damage to the nervous system;
lesions of the reproductive system;
eye lesions.

Increased body temperature (fever) with brucellosis

An increase in body temperature is a protective reaction that develops in response to the introduction of pathogenic Brucella into the body. The fact is that many microorganisms are sensitive to high temperatures, as a result of which an increase in temperature of even a few degrees can have a detrimental effect on them.

The rate of development and severity of fever in brucellosis is determined by the type of pathogen, as well as its initial dose. In most cases, within a few days after infection, patients may experience a slight low-grade fever (increase in body temperature to 37 - 37.5 degrees), accompanied by other nonspecific signs of infection (general weakness, increased fatigue, headaches and muscle pain, joint pain, aches throughout the body and so on). These symptoms progress over several days (while Brucella multiply in the lymph nodes), after which the body temperature can rise to 38 - 39 degrees, which is usually accompanied by chills, heavy sweating and deterioration in general well-being.

Fever in brucellosis is characterized by a wave-like course, that is, it continues for several days, after which it subsides for a while and then resumes again (periods of exacerbation in this case are associated with the destruction of macrophages and the entry of a large number of brucellae into the bloodstream).

Enlarged lymph nodes due to brucellosis

During the incubation period, pathological changes in the lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels are usually not observed. Generalized (widespread) enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes can be observed in the early stages of the disease, which is due to the penetration of bacteria into the blood and their spread throughout the body. In this case, the lymph nodes increase to 5–7 mm in diameter, become dense and slightly painful when palpated. The skin over them is usually unchanged. Pathological changes can be especially clearly identified in the cervical, axillary and inguinal groups of lymph nodes.

It is also worth noting that most patients with brucellosis experience an enlargement of the liver and spleen, which is due to the penetration and development of brucellae in the small blood vessels of these organs.

With a long course of the disease, more and more groups of lymph nodes are involved in the pathological process, which over time can be destroyed and replaced by connective (scar) tissue, thereby losing their functional activity.

Damage to bones and joints due to brucellosis

Damage to the musculoskeletal system (as well as other organs and tissues) occurs as a result of the penetration of Brucella into the tissues of joints and bones with the subsequent development of infectious and inflammatory processes in them and the formation of granulomas. These granulomas can be replaced over time by fibrous scar tissue, which will lead to irreversible damage to the structure and function of the affected organ. These phenomena are observed in subacute or chronic course of the disease.

Brucellosis is characterized by:

Arthritis. Arthritis (inflammation of the joints) with brucellosis is multiple, that is, several joints throughout the body are simultaneously affected (initially small joints of the hands and feet, then larger ones). Arthritis occurs when Brucella penetrates into the joint cavities and damages intra-articular structures (synovial membrane, articular surfaces of cartilage, etc.). Arthritis manifests itself as severe pain and limited mobility in the affected joints, resulting from the progression of the inflammatory process. The skin over the affected joint may be swollen, swollen, hyperemic (red) and very painful when touched or moved.
Periarthritis. Periarthritis is characterized by inflammation of the periarticular components (joint capsule, periarticular ligaments, etc.), which is clinically manifested by pain and impaired mobility in the joint (more pronounced than with simple arthritis).
Bursitov. Bursitis is an inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines the inner surface of the joint cavity. Under normal conditions, the synovial membrane produces a certain amount of synovial fluid, which nourishes the articular cartilage and facilitates their sliding against each other during movements. With bursitis, the amount of fluid produced increases significantly. As a result, it accumulates in the joint cavity, causing an increase in intra-articular pressure, impaired mobility and pain.
Tenosynovitis. This term refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the synovial sheaths of muscle tendons, which is usually observed in the area of the hands and feet. Under normal conditions, these sheaths surround the tendons, allowing them to slide freely during muscle contraction (this is done due to the presence of synovial fluid in them). With the development of tenosynovitis, the vaginal walls thicken and the amount of fluid produced increases, which leads to compression of the tendons and pain.
Periostitis. Periostitis is an inflammation of the periosteum - the outer shell of the bone, responsible for protecting and renewing bone tissue.
Fibrosites. Fibrositis is an inflammation of the fascial membranes surrounding the muscles. At first, this may manifest itself as mild soreness in the muscle area, and then dense nodules form at the site of soreness, which easily move under the skin.

Lung damage due to brucellosis

Brucellosis is characterized by damage to both the respiratory tract and the lung tissue itself.

Brucellosis can develop:

Catarrhal sore throat. Sore throat is an inflammation of the tonsils (tonsils). The tonsils consist of a collection of immune system cells (lymphocytes), which are among the first to come into contact with infectious agents that enter through the upper respiratory tract. And since brucellosis increases the activity of the entire immune system, the tonsils react to the introduction of Brucella especially intensely. Sore throat with brucellosis is characterized by the development of a non-purulent inflammatory process, which is manifested by sore throat and sore throat, aggravated during speech and when swallowing. Upon examination, the mucous membrane of the tonsils and the posterior wall of the pharynx is bright red and swollen.
Pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa). Pharyngitis usually accompanies catarrhal tonsillitis and has similar clinical manifestations. Body temperature with sore throat and pharyngitis may be slightly elevated (up to 38 - 39 degrees).
Bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, leading to its swelling and increased secretion of bronchial mucus. Clinically, bronchitis manifests itself as cough and chest pain. The cough is initially dry and painful, but after a few days it becomes productive, that is, it is accompanied by the release of mucous sputum. When listening to the lungs in such patients, dry (in the first few days of the disease) or wet (later) wheezing is detected. In severe cases of bronchitis, coughing can cause shortness of breath (a feeling of lack of air).
Pneumonia. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue, accompanied by a disruption of the gas exchange process in the affected area of the lung. It is worth noting that with brucellosis, pneumonia occurs in no more than 1–2% of patients. The main complaints of patients are gradually progressive shortness of breath and a productive cough, during which mucous or mucopurulent (gray or yellowish) sputum may be released. When listening to the lungs in such patients, weakening of breathing over the affected area is determined (due to the fact that air does not pass into the affected alveolar tissue). The general condition may also be impaired (there may be an increase in body temperature to 39 degrees or more, general weakness, weakness, and so on).

Damage to the cardiovascular system

Functional changes (that is, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system that are not associated with the development of irreversible lesions) are usually observed with subacute brucellosis.

Damage to the cardiovascular system with brucellosis can manifest itself:

Myocarditis. The myocardium is the heart muscle itself, responsible for the organ performing its pumping function. When it is inflamed (myocarditis), shortness of breath, increased and rapid heartbeat (especially against the background of fever), and disturbances in the frequency and rhythm of heart contractions (arrhythmia) may occur. Patients may also complain of stabbing pain in the heart area, regardless of the intensity of the work performed or the position of the body.
Endocarditis. The endocardium is the inner lining of the heart that lines its chambers and is in direct contact with the blood. The endocardium is very smooth, which is why blood cells do not stick to it. The development of endocarditis in brucellosis is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the endocardium and an increased risk of the formation of blood clots (blood clots), which can break off and be transported through the bloodstream to various organs, clogging blood vessels and disrupting blood circulation in them. The most dangerous thing with endocarditis is damage to the heart valves (their pathological narrowing as a result of damage to the inflammatory process), which over time can cause the development of heart failure.
Pericarditis. The pericardium is the outer layer of the heart (heart sac), consisting of two layers - the inner one (immediately surrounding the heart muscle) and the outer one, which is attached to the surrounding tissues and organs. The main function of the pericardium is to ensure the mobility of the heart during contractions and relaxations, during which the inner and outer leaves move relative to each other. If pericarditis develops with brucellosis, this leads to the formation of a large amount of exudate (inflammatory fluid). This fluid accumulates between the layers of the pericardium and compresses the heart muscle, disrupting the process of heart contraction and relaxation.
Thrombophlebitis. The process of penetration of Brucella into the blood is accompanied by activation of the immune system, which can lead to disruption of the integrity of the inner lining of blood vessels (endothelium) and inflammation of the venous walls. As a result, platelets (blood cells responsible for stopping bleeding) attach to damaged areas of the endothelium and a blood clot is formed, which disrupts the flow of blood through the vessel. This is manifested by severe pain at the site of thrombus formation, as well as swelling of tissues from which the outflow of blood is impaired (for example, with thrombophlebitis of the thigh veins, swelling will be noted in the area of the foot and lower leg). The most dangerous thing in this case is the increased risk of a blood clot breaking off and being transported through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it can clog the pulmonary vessels and lead to the death of the patient.

Damage to the nervous system

Functional lesions of the nervous system can be detected in subacute brucellosis, while in the chronic form of the disease more serious disorders usually occur.

Damage to the nervous system with brucellosis can manifest itself:

Meningitis. Inflammation of the meninges with brucellosis is relatively rare, usually developing 3 to 4 weeks after infection. Clinically, meningitis is manifested by stiff neck (the patient’s head does not bend forward due to severe tension in the muscles of the back of the neck) and other meningeal signs. There may also be a marked increase in temperature, chills, nausea or vomiting, and impaired consciousness.
Encephalitis. Encephalitis develops when brain tissue is damaged by an inflammatory process. In addition to general symptoms (fever, headaches, and so on), symptoms of focal brain damage may be observed (impaired sensitivity or motor activity in the limbs, as well as disruption or disappearance of various other functions for which the affected area of the brain was responsible).
Myelitis. This term refers to damage to the spinal cord that occurs when Brucella is introduced into it through the bloodstream. Clinically, this is manifested by impaired sensitivity in the upper or lower extremities. Patients complain of numbness, paresthesia (a crawling sensation), tingling or burning in various parts of the body. Some time after this, motor disturbances also appear (up to complete paralysis).
Plexit. This term refers to inflammatory damage to nerve bundles and plexuses innervating certain parts of the body. With brucellosis, plexitis of the cervical plexus (innervates the muscles and skin of the neck), brachial plexus (innervates the upper limb), and lumbosacral plexus (innervates the lower limb) can develop. Clinically, plexitis is also manifested by impaired sensitivity or motor activity in the affected area.
Intercostal neuralgia. It is characterized by periodically occurring pain of a dull, aching or burning nature in one or several intercostal spaces at once. The cause of pain is damage to the intercostal nerves by the inflammatory process. The pain usually intensifies during inspiration, which can cause severe breathing problems.

Reproductive system damage

Damage to the organs of the reproductive system can occur even with subacute brucellosis. Without timely treatment, the pathological process will progress, which over time will lead to the development of irreversible changes in the affected organs and can cause infertility.

With brucellosis, men may develop:

Orchitis. Inflammation of the testicle, manifested by severe stabbing or aching pain, which can radiate (give) to the groin area, perineum, lower abdomen or lower back. Upon examination, the affected testicle is enlarged in size and is sharply painful on palpation (palpation). With severe swelling, the natural folds in the scrotum area can be smoothed out, it becomes smooth, hyperemic (red), warmer (compared to non-inflamed areas).
Epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis). Clinically manifested by pain in the scrotum, as well as pain during urination or ejaculation (ejaculation). Upon palpation (palpation) a voluminous painful formation is determined in the scrotum. The testicle itself may be normal or also inflamed (in this case we are talking about orchiepididymitis).
Prostatitis. Inflammation of the prostate gland, manifested by pain in the groin and/or lumbar region, as well as in the lower abdomen. A characteristic feature of prostatitis is a severe burning or cutting pain in the groin during urination.

Brucellosis in women can manifest itself:

Endometritis. Inflammation of the endometrium (the mucous membrane of the uterus lining its inner surface) can manifest itself as pain in the lower abdomen, as well as pathological bleeding (occurring outside the menstrual cycle). Without timely treatment, the inflammatory process can spread to the muscular layer of the uterus or to the fallopian tubes, which will lead to the development of complications.
Salpingitis. Salpingitis is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes connecting the uterus to the ovaries. As the inflammatory process progresses, not only the mucous membrane, but also the entire thickness of the wall of the fallopian tube can be affected, which, without treatment, can cause its obstruction and associated infertility.
Oophoritis. Inflammation of the ovaries, which is often combined with inflammation of the fallopian tubes. It manifests itself as sharp or aching pain in the lower abdomen, as well as pain during sexual intercourse. Most women experience menstrual irregularities (irregular menstruation, pain during menstrual bleeding, and so on). Without timely treatment, oophoritis can also cause infertility and decreased libido in women.

Eye damage due to brucellosis

Eye damage with this disease is quite common. Without appropriate treatment, vision impairment or complete loss may develop.

Eye damage due to brucellosis can manifest itself:

Uveitis. Uveitis (inflammation of the uvea) may include iridocyclitis (inflammation of the iris and ciliary body), choroiditis (inflammation of the posterior wall of the choroid, which can affect the retina), or panuveitis (inflammation of all structures of the uvea). Uveitis manifests itself as redness of the eye, pronounced vascular pattern and blurred vision. The resulting circulatory disturbance can cause the development of more serious changes, including loss of vision.
Keratitis. Inflammation of the cornea of the eye, manifested by clouding or ulceration. Patients usually complain of blurred vision, tearing and photophobia, and redness of the eye.

Forms of brucellosis

Depending on the stage of the disease, as well as the severity of clinical manifestations, several forms of brucellosis are distinguished, each of which has a special prognosis and requires special treatment.

Depending on the severity of clinical manifestations, there are:

acute brucellosis;
subacute brucellosis;
chronic brucellosis;
residual brucellosis.

Acute brucellosis

The acute period of the disease begins with the first clinical manifestations (usually a month after infection with pathogenic Brucella species) and lasts no more than one and a half months. However, it is worth noting that in some cases (for example, in people with weakened immune systems or with a small initial dose of the pathogen), the first symptoms of the disease may appear 2 or 3 months after infection.

Acute brucellosis can develop quickly (the full clinical picture of the disease is determined within a few days after the appearance of its first symptoms) or slowly, which is usually observed in older people (their immune system cannot quickly respond to the penetration of brucellae into the bloodstream, and therefore new symptoms may appear and progress over several weeks).

The first and main complaints of patients in the acute form of the disease are severe weakness, decreased ability to work, fever and other symptoms of intoxication. In most patients, a generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes is detected.

It is important to note the fact that even with severe intoxication and increased body temperature, the general well-being of patients remains relatively stable, which is a common cause of errors during diagnosis. Damage to various organs is not typical for acute brucellosis, however, in especially severe cases, already during the first weeks, patients may experience pain in the joints and muscles, damage to the reproductive, nervous and other systems.

Subacute brucellosis

Subacute brucellosis is said to occur if clinical symptoms persist for 1.5 to 4 months. A distinctive feature of the subacute form of the disease is the undulating course of fever. The body temperature in such patients is usually elevated, and most patients experience fluctuations in the temperature curve even during the day (in the morning there may be a mild subfebrile condition, and in the evening the temperature may exceed 40 degrees). After a few days, the temperature curve returns to normal (which is accompanied by a subsidence of other symptoms), but after a short period of time the fever worsens again.

Damage to organs and systems that occurs during subacute brucellosis is functional in nature, that is, with timely initiation and adequate treatment, they can be completely eliminated.

Chronic brucellosis

Chronic brucellosis is diagnosed in patients in whom clinical and/or laboratory signs of the disease are observed for 4 months or longer. During this time, the body's immune system has time to rebuild itself, as a result of which it begins to react differently to the brucella developing in it. Exacerbations of the disease are observed less frequently, and the fever is not as pronounced. Periods of remission between two subsequent exacerbations can last for several months, but complete disappearance of all symptoms does not occur, since various organs and systems are affected.

This clinical picture can be observed for 2–3 years, while symptoms of damage to various organs and systems will progress after each new exacerbation of the disease. At the same time, with repeated infection (for example, if a sick person continues to come into contact with infected animals), a longer course of the disease is possible. The prognosis in this case is extremely unfavorable, since developing organ lesions can become irreversible.

Residual brucellosis

At this stage of disease development, pathogenic brucella may be absent in the body, and the development of the pathological process will be supported by impaired functioning of the immune system and changes in the nervous system. Infrequent attacks of fever or prolonged low-grade fever are possible. Almost all patients have deformities of the musculoskeletal system, requiring surgical treatment (which is not always effective), as well as damage to other organs and tissues.

Diagnosis of brucellosis

A diagnosis of brucellosis can be suspected after a thorough interview of the patient, as well as on the basis of clinical examination data and data on the epidemiological situation in the area. At the same time, to confirm the diagnosis it is necessary to conduct a number of laboratory tests.

When interviewing a patient, the doctor may ask:

How long ago did the first symptoms of the disease appear (fever, general malaise, etc.)?
What does the patient do (in particular, the doctor is interested in whether the patient is employed in the livestock sector)?

Have you had contact with domestic or wild animals that could carry brucellosis (cattle, small cattle, pigs, dogs, hares, deer, etc.)? If yes - how long ago?
Has the patient consumed thermally unprocessed (or poorly processed) animal products (meat, milk, etc.)?
Has the patient had brucellosis before? If yes - how long ago?
Do anyone around the patient have similar symptoms (work colleagues, wife/husband, children)?

To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe:

serological diagnostics;
microbiological research.

Blood test for brucellosis

A general blood test (CBC) usually does not reveal any specific changes. However, nonspecific signs of inflammation in the body help determine the stage of the disease and assess the activity of the infectious-inflammatory process.

With an exacerbation of brucellosis in the UAC, the following may be detected:

An increase in the total number of leukocytes (normal – up to 9.0 x 10 9 / l). Leukocytes are cells of the body's immune system that respond to the introduction of foreign agents. However, it is worth noting that sometimes with brucellosis the number of white blood cells remains normal (this is typical for older people with weakened immune systems).
An increase in the number of monocytes (norm – 3 – 9%). Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that pass from the blood into the tissues of various organs, turning into macrophages. It is macrophages that are responsible for the absorption and digestion of Brucella that enter the body, so patients with brucellosis may experience moderate monocyte count (an increase in the number of monocytes in the blood) several weeks after infection.
Decrease in the number of neutrophils. It is a nonspecific but common laboratory sign of brucellosis.
An increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (the norm is up to 10 mm per hour in men and up to 15 mm per hour in women). This laboratory indicator can be used to assess the degree of activity of the inflammatory process in the body. When the immune system is activated, so-called acute-phase inflammatory proteins are released into the blood, which attach to the surface of erythrocytes (red blood cells), promoting their gluing to each other, as a result of which they quickly settle to the bottom of the test tube during the study.

Serological diagnosis of brucellosis

When foreign microorganisms (bacteria, pathogenic fungi and any others) enter the body, the immune system reacts in a certain way, producing specific antibodies. These antibodies enter the bloodstream and bind only to the foreign microorganism against which they were synthesized (that is, antibodies against Brucella will not interact with any other bacteria). Based on this, it follows that the more Brucella in the body, the higher the amount of antibodies synthesized against them in the blood serum. Many diagnostic methods called serological are based on this principle.

For serological diagnosis of brucellosis the following can be used:

Wright's reaction (agglutination reaction). The Wright reaction becomes positive from the first weeks of the disease and can be used for diagnostic purposes throughout the entire acute period of the disease. The essence of this reaction is that when Brucella antigens (special complexes located on the surface of bacteria) interact with specific antibodies, they precipitate. To carry out the reaction, a specially prepared suspension of antigens is placed in a test tube, after which a certain amount of the patient’s serum is added, which needs to be examined. If the test serum contains antibodies against Brucella (that is, if the patient’s body has come into contact with these bacteria and his immune system begins to fight against them), they will interact with antigens and precipitate, which will be visible when assessing the results. If there are no antibodies in the patient’s blood, no reaction will occur.
Coombs reaction. In chronic brucellosis, the formation of so-called incomplete antibodies is possible, which are not detected by the agglutination reaction. However, these antibodies (which are immunoglobulins) are fixed on many cells of the human body, including red blood cells. The essence of the Coombs reaction is to add specific reagents to the blood being tested that interact with incomplete antigens. If there are any on the surfaces of red blood cells, red blood cells will stick together, that is, the reaction will be positive.
Burnet's test. The essence of this test is as follows. The patient is injected intradermally with a very small dose of brucellosis antigens and the subsequent response is observed. If the patient has never been sick and does not suffer from brucellosis, his immune system is not prepared to fight these antigens (it takes at least several weeks to produce specific antibodies). There will be no pronounced reactions (a short-term and painless redness of the skin in the injection area is possible, which is a natural reaction of the body to a foreign substance). If a patient is infected with brucellosis, his immune system actively produces antibodies against the antigens of this pathogen. Intradermal administration of such antigens will cause a pronounced local allergic reaction, which will manifest itself as redness, swelling and soreness of the skin at the injection site for 24 to 48 hours. This test will be positive 20–30 days after infection (when obvious clinical signs of the disease may be absent).

Microbiological diagnosis of brucellosis

The essence of this study is to isolate pathogens from various biological tissues of the body (from blood, from lymph node punctures, from cerebrospinal fluid, and so on). To identify Brucella, the test material is sown on special nutrient media and grown under special conditions for a long time.

It is worth noting that due to the complexity of the procedure and frequent false-negative results, as well as the high infectiousness of the test material, this study is carried out extremely rarely (it can only be performed in specially equipped laboratories and specially trained personnel).

Differential diagnosis of brucellosis

Differential diagnosis is carried out in order to distinguish brucellosis from diseases that have a similar clinical picture. For example, in case of acute brucellosis, diseases that occur with severe fever should be excluded. A wave-like increase in temperature, a generalized enlargement of lymph nodes and a relatively satisfactory general condition of the patient will testify in favor of brucellosis.

Acute brucellosis should be differentiated:

From malaria. With this pathology, the fever is also characterized by an undulating course, however, there is evidence of the patient’s stay in areas where this disease is widespread (usually tropical countries), as well as of mosquito bites that carry malaria.
For AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). With this pathology, a generalized enlargement of various groups of lymph nodes may also be observed, but there is no fever.
From sepsis. With this pathology, pyogenic microorganisms enter the blood, which spread throughout the body and affect many organs and tissues. In this case, the body temperature can rise to 40–42 degrees and remain at this level throughout the entire period of the disease, which is usually combined with an extremely severe general condition of the patient (up to the development of coma).
From lymphogranulomatosis. This is a tumor disease of the blood system, which also affects the lymph nodes and may cause a wave-like increase in temperature. Unlike brucellosis, with lymphogranulomatosis, one group of lymph nodes initially enlarges, and over time (over several weeks or months) the pathological process spreads to other groups. In this case, a detailed interview with the patient (in particular, it will be clarified whether he has had contact with animals that carry brucellosis) and laboratory diagnostics will help in making a diagnosis.

Subacute and chronic brucellosis should be differentiated from arthritis (inflammation of the joints) in rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by predominant damage to small joints, as well as the presence of severe stiffness in the joints in the morning, which goes away 30–60 minutes after waking up (with brucellosis, morning stiffness is practically not observed). Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Brucellosis affects the joints, nervous system, heart and blood vessels of the patient. In nature, the pathogen exists in the blood of livestock - cows, sheep, goats. Human infection occurs during lambing or calving of animals, as well as through consumption of raw milk and uncooked meat. Contact with fur when grooming animals is dangerous when the infection penetrates into the respiratory tract. The disease is not transmitted from person to person.

Brucellosis in humans usually occurs in epidemics in winter and spring. Children aged 7–12 years are most often affected.

Once in the body, the pathogen penetrates the lymph nodes, and from there spreads to the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It can exist in these organs for a long time, causing a chronic allergic reaction. The infection causes widespread inflammation of the blood vessels. The disease has a chronic course with relapses.

There are mild, moderate and severe forms, as well as erased and asymptomatic. The disease occurs acutely, fever, pain in muscles and joints appear. With a gradual subacute lesion, weakness first occurs, and then an increase in body temperature.

How to determine the pathology by external signs: 2–3 weeks after contact with animals, the patient suddenly develops a fever, joint pain, sweating, and enlarged lymph nodes. Then the internal organs are involved.

This disease causes a variety of skin rashes.

Signs of the disease

The first signs of infection appear 1 to 5 weeks after the bacteria enters the respiratory or digestive system. Headache, joint and muscle pain, weakness, lack of appetite and insomnia occur. Chills and sweating appear. The strongest reaction of the body develops on days 5–7, when fever appears. At the same time, the lymph nodes enlarge and sweating is characteristic.

Signs of brucellosis include an enlargement of the liver and spleen by 2–3 cm. Pain in the knee and ankle joints without signs of acute arthritis is typical. Fibrositis or cellulite develops - painful areas of muscles and subcutaneous tissue. The skin is pale, nosebleeds and various rashes occur on the body.

With a long process, signs of pathology include myocarditis, bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis and other complications. Changes in the musculoskeletal system are associated with joint pain and the development of radiculitis, which makes movement difficult.

How to determine pathology in a person: the doctor prescribes laboratory tests to identify the pathogen in the drug. The material is isolated from blood, urine, sputum, lymph nodes and other media.

Chronic brucellosis

Conventionally, it is believed that chronic forms of the disease develop six months after the onset of the disease. However, in some patients, signs of chronicity appear earlier. For some, on the contrary, after six months or more the process is still acute.

Chronic brucellosis manifests itself as polyarthritis - multiple inflammation of the joints. The knee, hip, elbow joints, as well as the lumbosacral joint are affected. The disease is accompanied by long-term pain, stiffness, stiffness and deformation of the joints. Liquid does not accumulate in them.

Clinical manifestations of pathology of connective tissue, muscles (myositis, bursitis) and peripheral nerves (plexitis, polyneuritis) occur. The pathogen can cause meningitis, arachnoiditis, damage to the optic and auditory nerves.

Symptoms of the chronic form include inflammatory diseases of the genital organs. Thus, women develop adnexitis, endometritis, and termination of pregnancy. For men, orchitis and epididymitis are common. These diseases lead not only to decreased sexual desire, but also to infertility.

The disease has a wavy course. After the incubation period, an acute form occurs with intoxication, enlarged lymph nodes, and damage to internal organs. For example, in the first months of the disease, allergic myocarditis occurs. Then the active chronic form of the disease develops. This condition occurs in waves, gradually subsiding and going into remission. In this case, an exacerbation may no longer develop, but the patient develops irreversible joint deformation or dysfunction of internal organs.

The causative agent of the disease in the chronic form is detected in the form of inactive L-forms. Serological methods are more often used. Enzyme immunoassay is used as screening.

How to identify pathology in a person: the patient, even with a long course, has positive agglutination reactions, complement coagulation and other diagnostic tests. Chronic forms of the disease are treated with antibiotics.

Diagnosis of the disease

The chronic infectious process is reflected not only in clinical manifestations. Diagnosis of brucellosis takes into account the epidemiological situation and contact with animals. How to identify pathology: to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to isolate the pathogen.

How to diagnose brucellosis? To do this, an infectious disease doctor prescribes cultures of biological fluids (blood, urine, joint effusion, sputum), as well as lymph node material on a nutrient medium. After the formation of microbial colonies, their properties are examined and the diagnosis is confirmed.

The most effective pathology test is polymerase chain reaction (PCR). If it is positive, the diagnosis can be considered confirmed. Additionally, serological tests are used: agglutination and complement fixation reactions. Methods for rapid diagnosis of the disease: Heddleson agglutination reaction and immunofluorescence analysis.

Diagnosis and treatment of the disease are carried out in infectious diseases hospitals. Although the patient is not contagious to others, he is worried about fever, weakness, and joint pain. These symptoms require antibiotic treatment under medical supervision.

In areas of infection, children over 7 years of age and agricultural workers are given the vaccine. Before using it, a thorough diagnosis of the disease is necessary, since latent and chronic forms are a contraindication for vaccination.

To detect hidden disorders and latent forms, Burnet's intradermal allergy test is used. It becomes positive a month after the onset of the disease and remains so for many years. It reflects the development of chronic sensitization of the body in response to microorganisms that can penetrate the lymph nodes and accumulate there.

Symptoms of the disease

The general symptoms of the disease are not specific and resemble the flu. Symptoms of brucellosis in humans:

increased temperature, especially in the afternoon;
pain in the back and throughout the body;
poor appetite, weight loss;
headache;
night sweats;
weakness;
cough and chest pain;
enlarged cervical lymph nodes;
depression and irritability;
abdominal pain caused by an enlarged spleen and liver;
skin rash and microabscesses under the skin.

Signs of the disease appear within a month after infection. The severity of the disorders depends on the type of infection causing the disease.

B. abortus causes mild to moderate changes, but they often become chronic. Signs of B. canis infection may disappear and reappear. Damage to the mucous membranes with the development of diarrhea is observed. B. suis causes the formation of purulent abscesses in internal organs. B. melitensis causes severe host reactions and acute onset of disease.

As a result of complications, the following consequences may occur:

endocarditis;
sacroiliitis;
osteomyelitis;
infertility;
thrombocytopenic purpura - a blood disease accompanied by bleeding;
cerebellar ataxia;
spinal syndrome;
chronic hepatitis;
miscarriages;
intrauterine infection of newborns.

However, most patients recover completely after treatment.

Treatment of brucellosis

To destroy the pathogen in tissues, antibacterial therapy is necessary. Treatment of brucellosis with antibiotics is carried out over a week. In the acute period, the following drugs are prescribed:

chloramphenicol;
tetracycline;
erythromycin;
rifampicin.

Antibiotics are prescribed in a dosage appropriate to the patient's age. After 2 weeks, antibacterial treatment of the disease is repeated. Sometimes a third course is needed. These medications destroy bacteria, but do not prevent exacerbations of the disease and the formation of a long-term chronic process.

How to treat brucellosis, besides antibiotics? In addition, vaccine therapy is used. The killed vaccine is administered. The course consists of 8 - 10 injections with an interval of 2 - 5 days.

How to treat the disease with severe or chronic disorders? Prednisolone is prescribed for a month, as well as a drug that affects the immune system - cycloferon. This helps to quickly relieve fever, pain, weakness and other manifestations of inflammation.

Symptomatic treatment with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated. Physiotherapy (UHF, ozokerite, therapeutic mud), therapeutic exercises and massage, radon baths are prescribed.

Depending on the involvement of other organs, a consultation with a cardiologist, pulmonologist, rheumatologist, neurologist and other specialists is prescribed.

Response to treatment is assessed by the appearance of the skin and joints, as well as changes in blood tests.

Doctor's supervision is necessary for 2 years after recovery. Patients are examined 2 times a year, blood tests and serological tests are performed.

Prevention of the disease:

health improvement of pets and their vaccination;
thorough heat treatment of milk and meat;
administration of live vaccines to children and agricultural workers;
use of protective clothing and disinfectants in production;
prevention of pollution of water sources with agricultural waste.

After vaccination, unstable immunity occurs. Therefore, in the event of a disease outbreak, the vaccine is re-administered.

Treatment with traditional methods

The disease in humans can last a long time, affecting the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. To avoid this, timely, comprehensive therapy is necessary. Treatment of brucellosis with folk remedies does not destroy the causative agent of the disease, but helps reduce the severity of symptoms. The effectiveness of such methods helps to evaluate a blood test for pathology, which should be done after completion of therapy.

Traditional treatment of the disease is carried out using the following methods:

take 750 ml of carrot juice and 350 ml of pumpkin juice, mix, take half a glass before meals three times a day;
collect birch leaves, buckthorn, willow bark, parsley root, mix and pour boiling water, boil for 20 minutes, take a glass 3-4 times a day;
for 3 days, take only vegetable juice and water;
Take a bath with pine concentrate or sea salt every evening.

Traditional medicine offers many remedies for the treatment of pathology. Without the use of antibiotics, they will not help the patient, but will only make the disease chronic. Before using such recipes, you should consult your doctor.

Video about brucellosis

Brucellosis in humans is a severe infection of the body that enters it through open wounds upon contact with sick animals. The disease has several names, including the more famous Malta fever and Gibraltar fever. The musculoskeletal system, heart and vascular, vascular, nervous and reproductive systems suffer most from the activity of the infection.

They first learned about such a disease at the end of the 19th century, and at the same time pathogenic microorganisms were identified. The most common animals that can carry the infection are sheep, pigs, cows and goats. That is why the infection most often affects not city residents, but people living in rural areas where livestock farming flourishes.

In addition to abrasions, the microorganism can penetrate through contact with the mucous membrane and through the digestive tract. The danger is that the site of infection remains unchanged. Once inside, it rapidly spreads through the bloodstream and affects internal organs, forming granulomas. Considering the long process of the first stages of the disease, brucellosis tends to develop into a chronic pathology.

Depending on the type of infection that has entered the human body, he will feel different symptoms, as well as their severity.

In medicine the following classification is presented:

Bacteria - causative agents of brucellosis under a microscope

Abortus strain, transmitted by cattle, is the most common strain in the world. In this case, the symptoms will be mild, and the patient is defined as mild or moderately severe. In this case, there is a high risk that the pathology will become chronic;
the Canis strain, carried by ticks, has a tendency to develop transient symptoms, and the patient’s condition will be the same as in the first case; the main symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea;
the Suis strain, which is practically never found in our regions, provokes the appearance of abscess processes in internal organs;
the Melitensis strain is the most dangerous due to the fact that the patient’s condition becomes severely severe and can cause disability.

If a person has chronic brucellosis, he will feel constant pain that intensifies with a certain frequency. In this state, patients become apathetic, suffer from depression, and experience joint pain. Unfortunately. Such a course has a far from favorable prognosis due to late access to qualified help.

Symptoms

If the disease has just begun to emerge, then the symptoms of brucellosis in a person will be similar to a typical cold or flu, which significantly delays the time to go to the hospital and make an accurate diagnosis.

At the initial stage of infection, the signs will be as follows:

An abrupt, strong increase in body temperature, mainly after waking up and before going to bed at night;
Pain in the back area;
Pain and burning sensation in the lower extremities;
Decreased appetite;
Constant headache;
General weakness;
Profuse sweating at night.

The first clear symptoms of the disease may appear between the fifth and thirty days, most often it takes about 20 days. If the disease is secretive, that is, the person is a latent carrier of the infection, the period is extended to three months.

Acute form

In most cases, this subtype of the disease affects young people, as well as people in the middle age group. It develops rapidly, but if the infection occurs in an elderly person, the symptoms will increase gradually.

Among them, the most obvious are:

Decreased appetite, decreased emotional activity, weakness and malaise;
Sleep disturbance (lack of sleep);
Muscle and joint pain appears that does not go away for several days;
Unreasonable rapid increase in body temperature to high levels;
The patient has a fever, and when the chill subsides, heavy sweating begins;
The duration of symptoms is about a month, and when the fever reaches its peak, the skin becomes pale and the face is red and swollen.

When diagnosed, each patient has a significant enlargement of the liver, lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, as well as the spleen.

Subacute form

In most cases, the symptoms of the disease of different forms are quite similar, but differ in their intensity and speed of occurrence.

In the subacute form, the symptoms are as follows:

Doctors also note that if the subacute form is too severe, the patient may develop shock due to intoxication, which, in turn, is often complicated by the inflammatory process of the cardiac lining.

Chronic brucellosis

If a person has a chronic form of the disease, which occurs in combination with repeated infection, then its duration can reach from two to three years. What is characteristic is that with this course the body temperature does not rise above subfebrile, and the condition worsens only after two months. However, if influenza infection or other viruses also enter the body, the process develops faster.

Depending on which system has been exposed more than others to the pathological effects of infection, the signs of brucellosis will differ. When joints are damaged, their anatomical shape changes and motor ability is impaired. In the event of an attack on the viral column, spondylitis may develop, which will lead to almost complete immobilization of the patient, and will also be accompanied by severe pain. Fibrosis will develop in the area of the elbow joints, sacrum and lower back.

Quite often, patients with brucellosis experience the development of neuritis (facial, auditory or optic nerve), paresthesia, radiculitis, reactive neurosis and inflammatory processes of the plexus of nerve endings. Men and women are equally susceptible to impaired fertility, inflammation of the gonads, and impotence can be diagnosed in men. Since the period of the disease is quite long, all changes in the joints become irreversible, atrophy develops in the ligaments, affecting the muscles, against which spondylosis and ankylosis appear, which are treated exclusively through surgical intervention.

When pathological reactivity forms in the body of an infected person, delayed consequences of the disease develop, this process is called residual brucellosis, and a restructuring of the immune system occurs. The patient’s condition at this time is accompanied by the consolidation of pathological changes in the joints, the temperature remains within the subfebrile range, and the emotional state is depressed.

Treatment

Therapy is based on the correct selection of a complex of medications that have a desensitizing specific and nonspecific effect. Also, treatment of brucellosis in humans involves regular intake of multivitamin complexes and nonspecific means of stimulating hematopoiesis.

If the disease is detected during the cold period, the doctor will definitely prescribe ultraviolet irradiation and antihistamines. With the help of corticosteroid drugs, the inflammatory process is reduced or suppressed for two weeks.

Vaccination

If you treat chronic brucellosis in a person with antibiotics, the desired effect and recovery will not be achieved. The only way out in this situation is vaccination, which is necessary to strengthen and desensitize the immune system. It is very important that the doctor is able to accurately determine the required dose, otherwise there is a risk that if the dose is exceeded, the disease will only worsen, and a small amount will be ineffective. In each clinical case, the dose is calculated individually.

The vaccine can be administered either subcutaneously or intradermally. In the first case, manipulations are performed if the patient’s condition has worsened, and in the second case, administration is performed if the infection becomes latent. However, even such treatment does not suppress the infection in 100% of patients. In about 30 out of 100 people, clinical manifestations return.

Prevention

The most correct preventive measure is the timely collection of information about possible infection of animals, after which a comprehensive assessment of possible risks must be carried out and the zone of infection is determined. It is possible to prevent human infection from an animal only if the latter carries out the necessary veterinary procedures, including vaccinations, in a timely manner.

The introduction of a live vaccine is indicated in regions at risk for infection with brucellosis, that is, those in which livestock farming flourishes. All employees who work on farms and slaughterhouses must be vaccinated. Not the least place in prevention is occupied by the disinfection of raw materials and pasteurization of milk.

It is very important that people, if suspicious symptoms are detected, contact their doctors in a timely manner, and also do not neglect routine examinations at the clinic. It must be remembered that if acute or subacute brucellosis is treated incorrectly, the disease will develop into a chronic pathology. If a patient has a large-scale lesion of the musculoskeletal system, then the likelihood that he will remain disabled is very high. In other aspects, with proper treatment, the prognosis for recovery is favorable.