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Brucella Canis Brucellosis

Disease Details

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Description: Brucella canis brucellosis is a highly contagious bacterial infection in dogs caused by Brucella canis, leading to reproductive issues such as infertility, abortions, and stillbirths.
Type: For Brucella canis brucellosis:

Type: Bacterial infection
Type of genetic transmission: Vertical transmission (from mother to offspring), primarily through contact with infected fluids and tissues during birth, and horizontal transmission (between adults), mainly through ingestion or mucous membrane contact with infected bodily fluids.
Signs And Symptoms: Brucella canis brucellosis primarily affects dogs, but it can also infect humans, though it is rare. The signs and symptoms in dogs include:

- Fever
- Lethargy
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Enlarged spleen
- Difficulties in walking, lameness
- Abortion in pregnant females
- Infertility in both males and females
- Discospondylitis (inflammation of the intervertebral disc)

In humans, the symptoms of Brucella canis brucellosis are generally nonspecific and might include:
- Fever
- Sweats
- Malaise
- Anorexia
- Headache
- Joint pain

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing the disease effectively in both dogs and humans.
Prognosis: The prognosis for Brucella canis infection (brucellosis) in dogs varies depending on several factors, including the severity of the infection, the timeliness of diagnosis, and the effectiveness of treatment. Chronic and untreated cases can lead to long-term health issues such as reproductive failure, lameness, and generalized malaise. While early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes, complete eradication of the bacteria is challenging, and relapses are common. Regular monitoring and long-term management are often required.
Onset: The onset of Brucella canis brucellosis in dogs is typically characterized by nonspecific symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss, and reproductive issues, like abortion in females and epididymitis in males. In humans, it can cause intermittent fever, malaise, sweats, and joint pain, with symptoms appearing one to four weeks after exposure.
Prevalence: The prevalence of Brucella canis brucellosis is not consistently reported due to variations in testing and reporting practices. However, it tends to be more commonly diagnosed in certain regions, especially in areas with higher populations of stray dogs or in breeding kennels. Prevalence can vary from less than 1% to around 8% in some high-risk populations. Regular screening and control measures are recommended to manage the disease in canine populations.
Epidemiology: **Epidemiology of Brucella canis Brucellosis:**

- **Geographical Distribution**: Brucella canis is found worldwide, but its prevalence varies by region. It's more commonly reported in areas with high populations of stray and unvaccinated dogs.

- **Host Range**: Primarily affects dogs, including domestic and wild canines. Occasionally, it can infect humans, but human cases are rare.

- **Transmission**: Transmission occurs through contact with infected animals, their secretions (such as urine, saliva, and semen), or contaminated materials. It can be spread via direct contact, venereal transmission, or from mother to puppies in utero or through milk.

- **Risk Factors**: Unspayed/unneutered dogs, kennel environments, dogs with multiple sexual partners, and lack of regular veterinary care are significant risk factors.

- **Prevalence**: Can vary widely depending on the region, control measures, and dog population. In certain areas with rigorous control programs, prevalence is low; however, in less regulated regions, it may be higher.

- **Zoonotic Potential**: While uncommon, humans can contract Brucella canis through direct contact with infected dogs, laboratory exposure, or contact with contaminated materials.

**Note**: The term "nan" does not apply to epidemiological data and may be a typographical error. If further clarification is needed regarding "nan," please specify.
Intractability: Brucella canis brucellosis is considered difficult to completely eradicate in dogs, making it somewhat intractable. Treatment can reduce the bacterial load and alleviate symptoms, but the bacteria may persist in the body, and there is a risk of relapse. Additionally, it is challenging to diagnose and eliminate the infection from breeding populations.
Disease Severity: Brucella canis brucellosis is a bacterial infection primarily affecting dogs, though it can occasionally infect humans.

**Disease Severity in Dogs:**
- **Acute Phase:** Mild to moderate symptoms, which may include fever, lethargy, and abortion in pregnant females.
- **Chronic Phase:** More severe symptoms, including recurrent fever, arthritis, diskospondylitis (inflammation of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebrae), and reproductive issues such as infertility.

**Disease Severity in Humans:**
- Generally mild and often underreported. Symptoms may include intermittent fever, fatigue, joint pain, and headaches. The condition can be more severe and chronic without timely treatment.

**Note on Nan:**
- The term "nan" is not relevant to the severity of Brucella canis brucellosis and may be a typographical or contextual error.
Healthcare Professionals: Disease Ontology ID - DOID:14019
Pathophysiology: ### Pathophysiology of Brucella canis Brucellosis

Brucella canis brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Brucella canis. Here is the detailed pathophysiology:

1. **Entry and Spread**:
- The bacterium typically enters the host through mucosal surfaces, such as those of the reproductive tract, or through contaminated dog bites or other direct contact with bodily fluids.
- After entry, B. canis is phagocytosed by macrophages. However, it can survive and replicate within these cells, evading the host's immune system.

2. **Localization**:
- B. canis predominantly localizes in the reproductive organs, leading to conditions such as epididymitis, orchitis in males, and endometritis or spontaneous abortions in females.
- The bacterium can disseminate through the bloodstream, potentially affecting other organs such as the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and intervertebral discs.

3. **Immune Response**:
- The host's immune system responds to B. canis infection by activating cellular immunity, particularly the T-cell-mediated response. However, the bacteria's ability to hide in immune cells complicates eradication.
- Chronic infection leads to granuloma formation, a localized inflammatory response where macrophages, lymphocytes, and fibroblasts attempt to contain and wall off the bacteria.

4. **Tissue and Organ Damage**:
- Persistent infection and the resulting chronic inflammation can cause tissue damage and organ dysfunction, particularly affecting the reproductive organs and occasionally leading to systemic signs such as fever, lethargy, and pain.

Understanding the pathophysiology of Brucella canis brucellosis is crucial for diagnosing and managing the disease, as well as preventing its spread to other animals and, in rare cases, humans.
Carrier Status: Brucella canis brucellosis is a bacterial infection affecting dogs, caused by Brucella canis. Carrier status refers to dogs that are infected with Brucella canis but do not show clinical signs of the disease. These asymptomatic carriers can still spread the infection to other dogs through bodily fluids such as urine, semen, and vaginal discharges. Regular testing and responsible breeding practices are essential to manage and control the spread of this infection within canine populations.
Mechanism: Brucella canis brucellosis is caused by the bacterium Brucella canis. The mechanism of infection generally follows these steps:

1. **Entry**: The bacterium enters a host, typically via mucosal surfaces like the respiratory, gastrointestinal, or reproductive tracts.
2. **Phagocytosis**: Brucella canis is taken up by host macrophages, which are immune cells that usually destroy pathogens.
3. **Intracellular Survival**: Inside the macrophages, Brucella canis evades destruction by preventing the fusion of lysosomes with its containing phagosome, thus avoiding typical degradative processes.
4. **Replication**: The bacterium replicates within the host cell in a specialized compartment known as the Brucella-containing vacuole (BCV).
5. **Dissemination**: Infected macrophages transport the bacteria to other tissues, leading to systemic spread and colonization of organs such as the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and reproductive organs.

**Molecular Mechanisms**:

1. **VirB Type IV Secretion System (T4SS)**: A crucial virulence factor is the VirB T4SS, which translocates effector proteins into the host cell’s cytoplasm. These effectors manipulate host cellular processes, helping the bacteria create a niche for replication by interfering with immune responses and promoting intracellular survival.
2. **Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)**: B. canis has a less endotoxic LPS compared to other Brucella species, which may help it evade detection by the host immune system.
3. **Brucella Effector Proteins**: Proteins like Btp1 (VirB effector protein) and BtpA interfere with host cell signaling pathways, including immune responses like the NF-κB pathway, which normally helps mount an inflammatory response.
4. **Quorum Sensing**: B. canis uses quorum sensing mechanisms to regulate virulence gene expression in response to population density, coordinating infection processes in a density-dependent manner.
5. **Stress Response Proteins**: These proteins aid in the bacterium’s resistance to acidic pH, oxidative stress, and other harsh conditions within the macrophage.

Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into how Brucella canis establishes infection and persists within the host, informing potential therapeutic strategies.
Treatment: Brucella canis brucellosis is a bacterial infection primarily affecting dogs. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics, such as doxycycline and enrofloxacin, administered over several weeks to months. Follow-up testing is crucial to ensure the infection is fully eradicated, as Brucella canis can be difficult to treat and may require additional or prolonged antibiotic therapy. Consultation with a veterinarian specializing in infectious diseases is recommended for effective management.
Compassionate Use Treatment: Brucella canis brucellosis in dogs is typically treated with a combination of antibiotics, but treatment can be challenging due to the bacterium's ability to persist in the body. While there are no specific compassionate use treatments officially approved for Brucella canis brucellosis, off-label or experimental treatments may include:

1. **Combination Antibiotic Therapy**: Often involves the use of multiple antibiotics such as doxycycline combined with rifampin or enrofloxacin. This combination aims to enhance bacterial eradication.

2. **Aminoglycosides**: Gentamicin or streptomycin may be used as part of a combination therapy due to their bactericidal properties.

3. **Immune Modulation**: Although not widely adopted or proven, some veterinarians might explore the use of immune-modulating substances to help the animal's immune system fight the infection.

4. **Long-term Antibiotic Therapy**: Extended antibiotic courses may be prescribed to prevent relapses, although this approach carries risks like antibiotic resistance and potential side effects.

Experimental treatments are typically considered only in severe or refractory cases, often within clinical trial settings or specialized research institutions.
Lifestyle Recommendations: For individuals or animals affected by Brucella canis brucellosis, lifestyle recommendations include:

1. **Strict Hygiene Practices**: Regular hand washing and sanitizing, especially after handling animals or animal products.
2. **Quarantine Infected Animals**: Isolate infected pets from other animals to prevent the spread of infection.
3. **Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)**: When dealing with potentially infected animals, PPE such as gloves and masks should be used.
4. **Avoid Contact with Bodily Fluids**: Care should be taken to avoid direct contact with blood, urine, or birthing fluids of infected animals.
5. **Regular Veterinary Check-ups**: Ensure that pets, especially dogs, have regular veterinary checkups for early detection and treatment.
6. **Safe Breeding Practices**: Breeders should test dogs for Brucella canis before breeding and avoid breeding infected animals.
7. **Proper Waste Disposal**: Ensure that animal waste is disposed of properly to prevent environmental contamination.

There is no direct cure for Brucella canis brucellosis, but following these recommendations can help manage and reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
Medication: Brucella canis brucellosis is typically treated with a combination of antibiotics. Common medications include doxycycline and rifampin. Treatment can be prolonged and may require several weeks or months to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria. It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a tailored treatment plan.
Repurposable Drugs: Brucella canis brucellosis is a bacterial infection typically affecting dogs but can also pose zoonotic risks to humans. Repurposable drugs that have been considered for treating Brucella infections include:

1. **Doxycycline** - A broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic.
2. **Rifampin** - An antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections such as tuberculosis.
3. **Gentamicin** - An aminoglycoside antibiotic that can be effective against Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Combining these drugs can sometimes enhance treatment efficacy, particularly combining doxycycline with rifampin. This combination therapy helps to reduce relapse rates and improve therapeutic outcomes. Always consult with a healthcare provider for the most appropriate treatment regimen.
Metabolites: Brucella canis brucellosis, commonly affecting dogs, can produce various metabolites during infection. These metabolites can interact with the host's immune system and aid in the pathogen's survival and replication. Some known metabolites include:

1. **Lipoproteins**: Important for immune evasion and virulence.
2. **Erythritol**: A sugar alcohol that Brucella species utilize, promoting bacterial growth, particularly in reproductive tissues.
3. **Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase**: Enzymes that help the bacteria neutralize reactive oxygen species produced by the host immune cells.

These metabolites play roles in the pathogen's lifecycle and its interaction with the host organism, although detailed metabolic profiling of B. canis specifically may be less comprehensive compared to other Brucella species.
Nutraceuticals: For brucella canis brucellosis, there are no established nutraceuticals (dietary supplements or functional foods) specifically recommended for treating the infection. The standard treatment typically involves the use of antibiotics such as doxycycline combined with an aminoglycoside like gentamicin. Management also includes controlling the spread of the infection among dogs.

Nutraceuticals have limited scientific evidence in the context of brucellosis, so they should not replace conventional treatments. Always consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment plans.
Peptides: Brucella canis brucellosis is a bacterial infection primarily affecting dogs, caused by Brucella canis. This bacterium can infect humans, though such cases are rare. It is important to note that there are no established peptide-based diagnostics or treatments specifically for Brucella canis brucellosis in the current clinical setting. Most diagnostics rely on serological tests, blood cultures, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Treatment typically includes prolonged courses of antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin.