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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #239237

Title: Bovine Brucellosis

Author
item Olsen, Steven
item Tatum, Fred

Submitted to: Veterinary Clinics of North America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2009
Publication Date: 1/5/2010
Citation: Olsen, S.C., Tatum, F.M. 2010. Bovine Brucellosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America. 26(1):15-27.

Interpretive Summary: Brucella abortus is an intracellular pathogen that causes reproductive losses in cattle and zoonotic infections in people. An eradication program based on serologic detection and vaccination has been in place for decades in the United States. Brucella use multiple molecular mechanisms to modify their environment in host cells and facilitate survival and replication. Immunologic protection against brucellosis is via cell-mediated immunity. Regulatory programs are the most cost-efficient way to control Brucella abortus and prevent human infection.

Technical Abstract: Brucella abortus is an intracellular pathogen that causes reproductive losses in cattle and zoonotic infections in people. An eradication program based on serologic detection and vaccination has been in place for decades in the United States. Brucella use multiple molecular mechanisms to modify their environment in host cells and facilitate survival and replication. Immunologic protection against brucellosis is via cell-mediated immunity. Regulatory programs are the most cost-efficient way to control Brucella abortus and prevent human infection.