Reduced milk production and the birth of weak calves further compound agricultural losses.
The bacteria are often spread through contact with aborted fetuses, placentas, or vaginal discharges. In the United States, wildlife reservoirs like bison and elk in the Yellowstone area maintain the pathogen, occasionally transmitting it back to livestock. Zoonotic Transmission and Human Health
Contagious abortion, often occurring in the last trimester of pregnancy, is the most common sign. abortus
Informative Paper: Brucella abortus and Its Global Impact Introduction
In humans, it can cause a debilitating, chronic illness characterized by undulant fever, joint pain, and fatigue. Reduced milk production and the birth of weak
Infected animals frequently experience decreased fertility and retained placentas.
The bacterium's ability to persist inside host macrophages makes it difficult to treat, often requiring long-term combination antibiotic therapy. The bacterium's ability to persist inside host macrophages
Even with treatment, relapse occurs in 5–15% of cases due to the presence of "persister" cells that remain metabolically active within protective intracellular niches. Current Control and Prevention Strategies