Bacterial Pathogens as Biological Weapons and Agents of Bioterrorism

Greenfield, Ronald A.; Drevets, Douglas A.; Machado, Linda J.; Voskuhl, Gene W.; Cornea, Paul; Bronze, Michael S.

doi:10.1097/00000441-200206000-00003

Cited by 114 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 48 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Due to easy dissemination, multiple routes of infection, high environmental contamination, and their potential application in bioterrorism, Brucella spp. are considered to be a category B select agent by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) [12]. Consistent with other studies, the present investigation found that consumption of contaminated foods and occupational contact remain the main sources of infection.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Clinical features and serum profile of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with brucellosis

Liu

Zhao

2017

J Infect Dev Ctries

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by Brucella, a highly infectious Gram-negative coccobacillus that has been isolated from a variety of mammals. Brucella melitensis is considered the most common cause of human brucellosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum parameters that relate to Brucella melitensis infection. Methodology: This investigation retrospectively analyzed the clinical laboratory tests and symptoms of brucellosis, which was confirmed by microbiological and serological methods. A total of 36 patients (31 males, 5 females; mean age 49.17 ± 13.56 years) admitted with brucellosis were included in the study over a three-year period between 2012 and 2015 in Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH). Results: A statistically significant increase was observed in C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with low titers of serum antibody when compared with those with high titers. No difference was observed between the two groups with respect to the other serum parameters such as procalcitonin or white blood cell count. Two blood culture systems also yielded different results. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated that culture can be improved by using multiple blood culture systems to isolate Brucella melitensis. We also found the different role of inflammatory markers play during the process of brucellosis. The present study may be a helpful reference in the diagnosis of brucellosis.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Clinical features and serum profile of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with brucellosis

Liu

Zhao

2017

J Infect Dev Ctries

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Human can acquire the disease from cattle, sheep, goat and camels through direct contact with blood, placenta, fetuses or uterine secretions while milking, handling infected animal fetus/placenta and other secretions [33]. This is usually the main source of brucellosis to human by ingestion of fresh milk or dairy products prepared from unheated milk is the main source of infection for most populations [19,36]. Undercooked meat products can also transmit the disease [36].…”

Section: Epidimiology Of Brucellosis In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is usually the main source of brucellosis to human by ingestion of fresh milk or dairy products prepared from unheated milk is the main source of infection for most populations [19,36]. Undercooked meat products can also transmit the disease [36]. However, muscle tissue usually contains low concentrations of Brucella organisms but liver, kidney, spleen, udder and testis may contain much higher concentrations [27].…”

Section: Epidimiology Of Brucellosis In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cow, sheep, goat or camel milk contaminated with B. melitensis is particularly hazardous as it is drunk in fairly large volume and may contain large numbers of organisms [27,32]. Airborne transmission of Brucella to humans has also been documented by inhalation of contaminated dust, contact with infected animal body fluids or tissues are other source of infection in clinical laboratories and abattoirs infection [27,36,37]. …”

Section: Epidimiology Of Brucellosis In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Review on Epidemiology of Camel and Human Brucellosis in East Africa, Igad Member Countries

Wakene¹,

Mamo²

2017

SJCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Camel production is expanding in pastoral areas of the Eat African region {IGAD member countries} as a result of recurrent drought and its less susceptibility to drought relative to other livestock. It is an important domestic animal and the source of milk during dry season. Camel brucellosis is prevalent in the region. From review high prevalence of human brucellosis is observed with prevalence ranging between 1 to 46.5%, 2.15 to 60%, 5.8 to 17% and 2.15 to 7.5% by ELISA, RBPT, SAT and CFT respectively; whereas 3.1 to 40.5%, 2 to 39.9% and 1.6 to 7.6% by ELISA, RBPT and CFT in camels respectively. It is transmissible from animal to humans, causing acute febrile illness, undulant fever (intermittent or remittent fever) which may persist for weeks or months accompanied by malaise, anorexia and prostration. Brucella species can enter mammalian hosts through skin abrasions or cuts, the conjunctiva, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract and through reproductive tracts. It has economic importance and public health hazard particularly to pastoralist community because of a widespread traditional habit of consumption of raw animal products and close contact with livestock including camels. Since brucellosis has no effective treatment both in human and livestock; vaccination, hygiene and awareness creation are the best control and prevention strategies in the region. Therefore, the objective of the seminar paper was to review-the epidemiology of brucellosis in camel and human in East Africa with emphasis on Ethiopia.

show abstract

“…19 Four members of the Brucella genus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, Brucella abortus, and Brucella canis are zoonotic agents and produce a disease in humans referred to as undulant fever, which is characterized by recurrent pyrexia, infection of lymphoreticular tissues, bacteremia, and purulent and pyogranulomatous lesions in multiple organs in infected humans. 14,35 B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis are also on the US Centers for Disease Control and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Select Agents list because of their perceived potential use as biologic agents of terrorism and war. 35 The United States has had a concerted effort to eliminate both cattle and swine brucellosis from its livestock populations through cooperative programs between the states USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic Characterization of a Feral Swine Herd Enzootically Infected withBrucella

et al. 2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Eighty feral swine were trapped from a herd that had been documented to be seropositive for Brucella and which had been used for Brucella abortus RB51 vaccine trials on a 7,100-hectare tract of land in South Carolina. The animals were euthanized and complete necropsies were performed. Samples were taken for histopathology, Brucella culture, and Brucella serology. Brucella was cultured from 62 (77.5%) animals. Brucella suis was isolated from 55 animals (68.8%), and all isolates were biovar 1. Brucella abortus was isolated from 28 animals (35.0%), and isolates included field strain biovar 1 (21 animals; 26.3%), vaccine strain Brucella abortus S19 (8 animals, 10.0%), and vaccine strain Brucella abortus RB51 (6 animals, 7.5%). Males were significantly more likely to be culture positive than females (92.9% vs. 60.6%). Thirty-nine animals (48.8%) were seropositive. Males also had a significantly higher seropositivity rate than females (61.9% vs. 34.2%). The relative sensitivity rates were significantly higher for the standard tube test (44.6%) and fluorescence polarization assay (42.6%) than the card agglutination test (13.1%). Lesions consistent with Brucella infection were commonly found in the animals surveyed and included inflammatory lesions of the lymph nodes, liver, kidney, and male reproductive organs, which ranged from lymphoplasmacytic to pyogranulomatous with necrosis. This is the first report of an apparent enzootic Brucella abortus infection in a feral swine herd suggesting that feral swine may serve as a reservoir of infection for Brucella abortus as well as Brucella suis for domestic livestock.

show abstract

Bacterial Pathogens as Biological Weapons and Agents of Bioterrorism

Cited by 114 publications

References 48 publications

Clinical features and serum profile of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with brucellosis

Clinical features and serum profile of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with brucellosis

Review on Epidemiology of Camel and Human Brucellosis in East Africa, Igad Member Countries

Diagnostic Characterization of a Feral Swine Herd Enzootically Infected withBrucella

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About