Brucella

Last edited 09/2023 and last reviewed 11/2023

Brucella is a genus of schizomycetes, family Brucellaceae.

Brucella abortus is the causative agent of infectious abortion in cattle and the commonest cause of brucellosis in man. Brucella melitensis is also seen in man.

Brucella suis is a species found in swine, which is capable of producing severe disease in man.

Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis are found in marine mammals.

Brucella canis (B. canis) has not been regarded as endemic in the UK (1)

• however, since summer 2020, there has been an increase in the number of reports of B. canis infection in dogs, the majority of which have been in dogs directly imported into the UK from Eastern Europe
• B. canis is a recognised zoonotic pathogen, but human cases are rarely reported globally; most likely due to the non-specific nature of infection, generally mild symptoms, lack of validated serology tests and because it is generally acknowledged to be less virulent to humans than other members of the Brucella genus, for example, B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis
  • B. canis is principally viewed as an infection of dogs, although other UK-living carnivores such as cats and foxes may be able to be infected if in close contact with an infected dog or its immediate environment
    • human infections can occur through direct contact with contaminated secretions from infected dogs, or as a result of laboratory exposure particularly to bacterial culture

Reference:

• UK Health Security Agency (September 2023). Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) risk assessment: Brucella canis