Brucellosis Overview
Learn About Brucellosis
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that occurs from contact with animals carrying brucella bacteria.
Cyprus fever; Undulant fever; Gibraltar fever; Malta fever; Mediterranean fever
Brucella can infect cattle, goats, camels, dogs, and pigs. The bacteria can spread to humans by:
- Coming in contact with infected meat or the placenta of infected animals
- Eating unpasteurized cheese
- Drinking unpasteurized milk
Brucellosis is rare in the United States. About 100 to 200 cases occur each year. Most cases are caused by Brucella melitensis bacteria.
People working in jobs where they often come in contact with animals or meat are at higher risk. This includes slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and veterinarians.
Brucella is found in many other countries worldwide including:
- Egypt
- Iraq
- Iran
- Jordan
- Saudi Arabia
- Chad
- Greece
- Mexico
Acute brucellosis may begin with mild flu-like symptoms, or symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Fever and chills
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Joint and muscle pain
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen glands
- Weakness
- Weight loss
High fever spikes often occur every afternoon. The name undulant fever is often used to describe this disease because the fever rises and falls in waves.
The illness may be chronic and last for years. Occasionally, symptoms of brucellosis can be similar to tuberculosis.
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection and prevent it from coming back. These include:
- Doxycycline
- Streptomycin
- Gentamicin
- Rifampin
Often, you need to take antibiotics for 6 weeks. If there are complications from brucellosis, you will likely need to take the medicines for a longer period.
Recep Tekin practices in Dicle, Turkey. Tekin is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Brucellosis. Their top areas of expertise are Brucellosis, Hydatidosis, Echinococcosis, and Helminthiasis.
Hakan Erdem practices in Ankara, Turkey. Mr. Erdem is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Brucellosis. His top areas of expertise are Brucellosis, Tuberculous Meningitis, Meningitis, and Bacterial Meningitis.
Makram Koubaa practices in Sfax, Tunisia. Koubaa is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Brucellosis. Their top areas of expertise are Brucellosis, Swimmer's Ear, Malignant Otitis Externa, Scrofula, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Symptoms may come and go for years. Also, the illness can come back after a long period without symptoms.
Health problems that may result from brucellosis include:
- Bone and joint infection and damage
- Encephalitis (swelling or inflammation of the brain)
- Infective endocarditis (inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves)
- Meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord)
Contact your provider for an appointment if:
- You develop symptoms of brucellosis
- Your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment
- You develop new symptoms after treatment for brucellosis
Drinking and eating only pasteurized dairy products, such as milk and cheeses, is the most important way to reduce the risk for brucellosis. People who handle meat should wear protective eyewear and clothing and protect skin breaks from infection.
Detecting infected animals controls the infection at its source. Vaccination is available for cattle, but not humans.
Summary: RACSMEI addresses the high burden of infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries, including Cambodia, where limited surveillance and laboratory capacity often obscure etiologies and transmission dynamics. This knowledge gap hinders the design of effective prevention and control strategies. RACSMEI will improve understanding across multiple pathogens using a multidisciplinary One Health...
Summary: This study aimed to collect and analyze clinical specimens of patients with classic infectious diseases in the real world. To investigate the epidemiological distribution of classic infectious diseases (brucellosis, epidemic hemorrhagic fever, kala-azar) and treatment options suitable for China.
Published Date: August 05, 2025
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Downes KJ. Brucella. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 253.
Gul HC, Erdem H. Brucellosis (Brucella species). In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 231.
Salvana EMT. Brucellosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 286.