Human brucellosis: an overview

TLDR

Brucellosis is a worldwide systemic disease mainly transmitted by ingestion of unpasteurized dairy, presenting acutely or insidiously, mimicking many illnesses, and posing diagnostic challenges, with automated blood culture, PCR, and ELISA proving useful as new laboratory-based diagnostic methods. The best current treatment for human brucellosis is a combination of doxycycline and streptomycin.

Abstract

Brucellosis exists worldwide. The disease mainly spreads by ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products. It is a systemic disease, and many systems can be involved. The clinical presentation may be acute or insidious. The disease mimics many illnesses and presents diagnostic difficulties. Automated blood culture systems, PCR and ELISA have proved useful as new laboratory-based diagnostic methods. Although various regimens have been used in the treatment of the disease, a combination of doxycycline and streptomycin seems to be the best current treatment for human brucellosis.