Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Human exposure to Brucella abortus strain RB51--Kansas, 1997.
- Journal:
- MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
- Year:
- 1998
Plain-English summary
In May 1997, nine people, including a farmer and several veterinary professionals and students, were involved in the delivery and examination of a stillborn calf that had died from an infection caused by Brucella abortus, a type of bacteria. The infection was confirmed when samples from the calf's placenta and lung tissue tested positive for this bacteria. The specific strain involved was RB51, which is a weakened version of the bacteria used as a vaccine for cattle. This situation highlights the importance of monitoring potential human exposure to this vaccine strain to understand any effects it may have. The report serves as a reminder for those working with animals to be aware of the risks associated with such infections.
Abstract
On May 26-27, 1997, nine persons (a farmer, four veterinary clinicians, and four veterinary students) in Manhattan, Kansas, participated in an attempted vaginal delivery, a cesarean delivery, and a necropsy on a stillborn calf that died because of Brucella abortus infection. The infection was confirmed by isolation of B. abortus from placental and fetal lung tissue cultures. The National Animal Disease Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), identified the B. abortus isolate from the calf as the RB51 vaccine strain. RB51 is a live, attenuated strain that was licensed conditionally by the Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, on February 23, 1996, for vaccination of cattle in the United States. Before 1996, vaccine was made by using the S19 strain. This report describes occupational exposure to animals infected with the RB51 strain and emphasizes the need for surveillance of unintentional exposure of humans to RB51 to assess outcomes of such exposures.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9518281/