Brucellosis

Diagnosis of brucellosis is made by testing blood or the spongy matter inside the bones, called bone marrow. Other tests can help find complications of brucellosis. They include:

• X-rays. X-rays can show changes in the bones and joints.
• CT scan or MRI scan. These imaging tests can show areas of the brain or other tissues that might be affected by brucellosis.
• Cerebrospinal fluid culture. This checks a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord for infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.
• Echocardiography. This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the heart to check for signs of infection or damage to the heart.

Treatment for brucellosis is to relieve symptoms, prevent the disease from coming back and prevent complications. Treatment involves taking antibiotics for at least six weeks. Symptoms may not go away completely for several months. The disease also may return and become long-term, called chronic.

You may start by seeing your healthcare professional. Then, you may be referred to an infectious disease specialist. A diagnosis of brucellosis depends on your coming into contact with the bacteria that cause the disease. Your healthcare team will need as much information as possible about that.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you may want to write down the answers to the following questions:

• When did you begin having symptoms?
• Have you had any raw dairy products, such as milk or goat cheese?
• Does your job involve contact with animals or with animal tissues?
• Have you traveled to countries other than the United States during the past year?
• Do you work in a lab where infectious bacteria are present?
• Have you gone hunting recently?

What to expect from your doctor

During the physical exam, your healthcare professional may:

• Ask you to move your joints, to check for pain and stiffness.
• Check your reflexes and the strength of your muscles.
• Press on your belly to see if organs are larger than usual or tender.