Person-to-person transmission of Brucella melitensis.
Human brucellosis is primarily an occupational hazard in the USA; in the Middle East and Africa ingestion of contaminated dairy products is an important route of infection. Whether human beings can become infected via person-to-person spread is uncertain. During an investigation of a commonsource, laboratory-associated outbreak due to Brucella melitensis, biotype 3, the wife of a microbiologist with serologically proven brucellosis became infected. Her blood isolate was indistinguishable from the epidemic strain. In the absence of other risk factors, we suggest that sexual intercourse is a possible means of transmission.
Ruben
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Division of Infectious Diseases, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073.
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JD
Wong
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Colville
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J
D002002:Brucella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial