Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by contact with animals carrying a bacteria called Brucella.

Brucella can infect cattle, goats, camels, dogs, and pigs. The bacteria can spread to humans if you come in contact with infected meat or the placenta of infected animals, or if you eat or drink unpasteurized milk or cheese.

Brucellosis is rare in the United States (except in the western states).

Approximately 100 - 200 cases occur in the U.S. each year. People working in jobs requiring frequent contact with animals or meat -- such as slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and veterinarians -- are at high risk.

Acute brucellosis may begin with mild flu-like symptoms or symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Chills
• Excessive sweating
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Loss of appetite
• Joint pain

Classically, fever spikes occur every afternoon to levels around 104 degrees Fahrenheit. "Undulant" fever derives its name from this up-and-down fever.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Muscle pain
• Swollen glands

The illness may be chronic and persist for years.

• Blood culture
• Clean catch urine culture
• CSF culture
• Bone marrow culture
• Serology detecting brucellosis antigen

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)
• Serum immunoelectrophoresis
• Febrile/cold agglutinins