infectious diseases
Brucellosis
Key Points
Brucellosis is acquired by direct contact with secretions and excretions of infected animals or by ingestion of contaminated food or dairy products. Infection typically causes fever and constitutional symptoms, but specific organs (eg, brain, meninges, heart, liver, bones) are rarely affected. Most patients recover in 2 to 3 weeks, even without treatment, but some develop subacute, intermittent, or chronic disease. Diagnose using cultures of blood, bone marrow, or cerebrospinal fluid and acute and convalescent serologic testing. Treat most patients with 2 antibiotics, typicallydoxycyclineplus eitherrifampin, an aminoglycoside, orciprofloxacin; monitor patients up to 1 year for relapse. 