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Background
•
Brucellosis, aka Malta Fever, undulant fever, Bang’s
Disease, fistulous withers (in horses)
Th
l
t i
i t
ll l b t i l
•
e causa agen s an n race u ar ac er a
pathogen, first isolated after cases of the disease in
garrison troops on the island of Malta who drank
infected goat’s milk (Sir David Bruce, “Micrococcus
melitensis”)
•
Pasteurization of dairy products and culling of
infected animals have reduced the prevalence of the
disease in many domesticated species, but wildlife
reservoirs remain throughout the world including US
Background
•
B. suis
anecdotally first pathogen developed as a
biological weapon by former US offensive program
(W. Patrick, III, personal communication)
•
Infectious dose of 10‐100 organisms validated in
historic “8‐ball” chamber at Ft. Detrick with human
subjects
•
Aerosol transmission (first noted in swine abattoirs),
but also via fomites and sexual route documented in
animals and humans
•
Serious acute and chronic symptoms of brucellosis
often complicate correct diagnosis