Brucella melitensis
Overview
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
from the Brucellaceae
Brucellaceae
The Brucellaceae are a family of the gram-negative Rhizobiales. They are named after Sir David Bruce, a Scottish microbiologist. They are aerobic chemoorganotrophes.. The family comprises pathogen and soil bacteria...
family. The bacterium causes Ovine Brucellosis, along with Brucella ovis
Brucella ovis
Brucella ovis is a gram negative coccobacillus from the Brucellaceae family. Along with Brucella melitensis, it is responsible for causing Ovine Brucellosis, which is a notifiable disease...
. It can infect sheep, cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, and sometimes human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s and it can be transmitted by the stable fly. It is zoonotic, unlike Brucella ovis
Brucella ovis
Brucella ovis is a gram negative coccobacillus from the Brucellaceae family. Along with Brucella melitensis, it is responsible for causing Ovine Brucellosis, which is a notifiable disease...
, causing Malta fever or localized brucellosis in humans.
The bacterium causes severe inflammation of the epididymis, causing formation of spermatocoeles and fibrinous adhesions.
Unanswered Questions
