BRUCELLA IgM

Brucellosis is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted from infected animals to humans. The IgM test is conducted to diagnose infectious diseases present in the circulatory and lymphatic systems and determine the immune status. The test checks for the presence of IgM in the body.

In medical literature, the disease also known as brucellosis is caused by a bacterium named Brucella. There are several different strains of the Brucella bacterium. While some types cause infection in cattle, others cause the disease in dogs, pigs, sheep, goats, and camels. Brucellosis generally spreads to humans through direct contact with infected animals or by consuming the meat or milk of these animals. The disease usually either shows no symptoms or manifests itself with nonspecific symptoms like fever, chills, weakness, yet it can also lead to severe organic consequences. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of the disease in humans.

How is Brucella Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Brucella can be challenging, especially in the early stages of the disease, as it shows symptoms similar to the flu. When you experience rapidly rising fever, muscle aches, weakness, it is crucial not to neglect seeing a doctor.

During your examination, the doctor will check for liver enlargement, swollen lymph nodes, spleen enlargement, and joint swelling. If Brucella is suspected, a blood test will be requested. This blood test will accurately identify the type of Brucella causing the infection.

Brucella During Pregnancy?

Early diagnosis is crucial for the health of both the mother and the baby in case of contracting brucellosis during pregnancy. If Brucella is suspected, blood tests are performed, and a short-term antibiotic treatment may be administered. Brucella can lead to the termination of pregnancy or birth defects in the baby.

How Does Brucella Spread?

1. Raw Dairy Products:

Brucella bacteria in the milk of infected animals can be transmitted to humans consuming unpasteurized milk, ice cream, butter, and cheese made from this milk. The bacteria can also be transmitted through raw or undercooked meats of infected animals.

2. Airborne Transmission:

Brucella bacteria can easily spread through the air. Farmers, laboratory technicians, and slaughterhouse workers can inhale the bacteria.

3. Direct Contact:

The bacterium in the blood, semen, or placenta of an infected animal can enter your bloodstream through a cut or wound. Normally, ordinary contact with animals does not lead to infection. Brucellosis rarely spreads from pets. However, individuals with weakened immune systems are at risk, and vaccinating their pets against brucellosis can be protective.

Brucella usually does not spread from person to person. However, in a few cases, it has been identified that women can transmit the disease to their babies during childbirth or through breastfeeding. Brucellosis can rarely spread through sexual activity or contaminated blood or bone marrow transplants.

The four groups of bacterial species that most commonly cause brucellosis in humans are:

B. abortus. Transmitted from cattle.

Brucella melitensis. Found in sheep and goats.

B. suis. This strain found in wild pigs is the most effective bacterial species in brucellosis infections.

B. canis. Infections caused by these bacteria spread from dogs.

Can Brucella Spread from Pet Dogs?

Brucella can rarely spread through B. canis from pet dogs. However, disease transmitted in this way generally has a milder course. Brucella does not spread from most infected dogs to others. Still, direct contact with the dog's blood or other fluids increases the risk. Individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting the disease from dogs.

What Are the Risk Factors for Brucella?

Brucella is more commonly seen in men than women. Individuals in the following risk groups have a higher likelihood of contracting brucellosis:

Consuming unpasteurized milk and dairy products from infected cows, goats, or other animals

Consuming unpasteurized "village cheeses"

Traveling to regions where Brucella is prevalent

Working in meat processing plants or slaughterhouses

Working on farms

Microbiologists

How to Prevent Brucellosis?

Since Brucella is a disease with difficult treatment and serious complications, taking certain precautions can be beneficial in preventing the disease.

Avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and dairy products. Do not consume dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, or ice cream if you cannot be sure they are pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process of rapidly heating raw milk to high temperatures to rid it of harmful bacteria.

Meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Always prefer medium-well to well-cooked meat instead of undercooked meat.

Workers in the livestock industry should wear rubber gloves, protective goggles, and, if necessary, protective clothing.

Pets should be vaccinated against brucellosis.

Individuals who have had contact with an animal infected with Brucella should undergo a doctor's examination even if they show no symptoms. These individuals should be followed up for at least six months after contact. There is currently no effective vaccine for preventing brucellosis in humans.