BRUCELLA MELITENSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Brucella melitensis is a bacterium belonging to the genus Brucella, which is known to cause the disease brucellosis in humans and animals. It is considered one of the primary causative agents of brucellosis and is specifically associated with infections in sheep, goats, and camels.
Brucella melitensis is a small, gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccobacillus that is capable of surviving and replicating within cells of the host's immune system, allowing it to evade the body's defenses and cause chronic infections. It is transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products derived from infected animals, making it a significant concern for individuals working in agriculture, veterinary professions, or those living in close proximity to livestock.
Symptoms of brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis can vary but commonly include fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and weight loss. In severe cases, complications such as inflammation of the heart, liver, or spleen can occur. Diagnosis is typically made through blood culture, and treatment involves a combination of antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin for several weeks to months. However, relapses can occur even after successful treatment.
Brucella melitensis poses a significant public health risk due to its ability to spread within animal populations and its potential for zoonotic transmission. As a result, efforts to control the spread of brucellosis often involve measures such as vaccination of livestock and pasteurization of dairy products, along with public education and awareness campaigns.
Common Misspellings for BRUCELLA MELITENSIS
- vrucella melitensis
- nrucella melitensis
- hrucella melitensis
- grucella melitensis
- beucella melitensis
- bducella melitensis
- bfucella melitensis
- btucella melitensis
- b5ucella melitensis
- b4ucella melitensis
- brycella melitensis
- brhcella melitensis
- brjcella melitensis
- bricella melitensis
- br8cella melitensis
- br7cella melitensis
- bruxella melitensis
- bruvella melitensis
- brufella melitensis
- brudella melitensis
Etymology of BRUCELLA MELITENSIS
The word "Brucella" is derived from the name of Sir David Bruce, a British physician and microbiologist, who first isolated and identified the bacteria in 1887. He discovered the microorganism while investigating an outbreak of a disease called Malta fever (now known as brucellosis) in Malta.
The term "melitensis" comes from the Latin word "melita", meaning Malta. Since the bacterium was initially identified in Malta, it was named Brucella melitensis to denote its association with Malta fever.
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