Brucellosis in the UK: a risk to laboratory workers? Recommendations for prevention and management of laboratory exposure.
Brucella spp is an uncommon class 3 pathogen isolated in laboratories serving non-endemic areas. This is a report of four recent cases of brucellosis diagnosed at five different London laboratories, and it highlights the need to maintain a high index of suspicion for brucellosis in patients with a history of travel to and/or consumption of unpasteurized foods from endemic areas. A protocol for risk categorisation is proposed, and there is a description of the strategy adopted for serological follow-up of exposed staff and use of postexposure prophylaxis.
Reddy
S
S
Department of Medical Microbiology and HPA Collaborating Centre, Barts and The London NHS Trust, UK. srinivasulu.reddy@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
Manuel
R
R
Sheridan
E
E
Sadler
G
G
Patel
S
S
Riley
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D007757:Laboratory Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards