Brucellosis: Epidemiology and Prevalence Worldwide
Michael J. Corbel
Abstract
Brucellosis in man is caused by infection with Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis , or B. canis. Although serological evidence suggestive of B. ovis infection has been found,1 this has not been related unequivocally to human disease. In terms of the number of reported cases and also in relation to the severity of the disease, B. melitensis is the most important cause of human brucellosis although it has a more limited geographic distribution than B. abortus. Brucellosis is a zoonosis and virtually all infections derive directly or indirectly from animal sources. Identification of Brucella isolates of human origin at the species level often indicates the likely source of infection. Bovine brucellosis has been eradicated from Canada although B. abortus still persists in wild bison herds in some areas.