Brucellosis is dangerous in farm and milk industry

Brucellosis is dangerous in farm and milk industry

1. M.V.Sc Scholar – Supriya Choudhary

(Dept. Of veterinary and animal husbandry extension education)

2. Assistant Professor – Dr. Sarjana Meena

PGIVER, JAIPUR

INTRODUCTION

• Brucellosis is considered as one of the important zoonotic infections affecting both humans and animals. Brucellosis a serious public health issue in our country.brucellosis is very dangerous in milk industry because it transmit through milk.
• Brucellosis is an often overlooked zoonotic disease, primarily due to its nonspecific symptoms and lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. The health of milk and dairy products is very important because of their high nutritional value in the human nutrition.
• It is the bacterial disease caused by various brucella species, which mainly infect the cattle , swine, sheep, goat , dogs.
• Most frequently species responsible for this disease are Brucella abortus,B.canis,B.melitensis,B.suis.
• Infected animals and dairy products, such as butter, fresh cheese,lassi, buttermilk and ice cream, are playing imperative roles in the transmission of disease in human. Therefore, the   consumption of milk and unpasteurized dairy products are very important regarding their serious and potential risk for the transmission of Brucella to humans. 
• The most important reasons regarding the difference in the prevalence of Brucella species in dairy products consumed in different parts of the world can be attributed to the diversity of the geographical area, the type of survey, the sensitivity of the tests, the type and number of samples taken, the host factors, the vaccination of Brucella in animals and the methods used for the production of dairy products.
• Consuming raw milk and milk-based products lke cheese , paneer  icecream etc that have not been produced under strict control conditions can cause brucellosis, a highly contagious zoonotic disease.
• Consuming unpasteurized milk and milk products has been identified as the leading cause of human brucellosis, with as incidence rates varying from 33.9% to 100%.

Who is at risk?

• Brucellosis is found globally and is a reportable disease in most countries. In the general population, most cases are caused by the consumption of raw milk or its derivatives such as fresh cheese.
• The disease is also considered an occupational hazard for people who work in the livestock sector.
• People who work with animals and are in contact with blood, placenta, foetuses and uterine secretions have an increased risk of contracting the disease. This method of transmission primarily affects farmers, butchers, hunters, veterinarians and laboratory personnel.
• Worldwide, Brucella melitensis is the most prevalent species causing human brucellosis.

What are the symptoms of brucellosis?

• Symptoms of brucellosis take two to four weeks or longer after you’re exposed to the bacteria. Symptoms can come and go for months or years, including:
• Sweating (sometimes with a moldy smell).
• Joint pain,pain in knees or lower back.
• weight loss.
• Abdominal (stomach) pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Large, painful lymph nodes.
• How is brucellosis transmitted?
• Drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk or eating unpasteurized cheese, ice cream . Infected animals produce contaminated milk. However, pasteurization kills the bacteria so you can safely drink milk if they have brucellosis.
• Touching the infected tissue or body fluids of an animal. Brucella can get into your body through injury.
• skin or through your eyes, nose or mouth.
• You can inhale particles of Brucella in from the air, usually from the exposed tissues or blood of an infected animal. This is a risk if you work with Brucella in a lab,  work on a farm, in a slaughterhouse or in a meat packing plant.
• Eating undercooked meat.
• While person-to-person transmission  have been rare cases of Brucella transmission.

How it is diagnosed?

• As symptoms of brucellosis can look like other diseases, so dignosis is must-
• Culture-Confirmation of disease via culture is considered the gold standard but is not always possible. Clinical samples from sites of the disease’s focus, such as bone marrow, spleen, synovial fluid, and abscesses, can be tested for the presence of Brucella. Whole blood is typically the biological material of choice for isolating Brucella.
• Antibodiesagainst Brucella were assessed using a series of serological tests to confirm the presence of infection with this bacterium .
• Rose Bengal precipitation test (RBPT)- this test was developed for veterinary screening, it is now routinely used to diagnose human brucellosis. The Rose Bengal test is a rapid (5-10 minute), simple to conduct, and highly sensitive diagnostic tool for acute brucellosis, it has a high rate of false-negative results in chronic and severe cases.
• Serum agglutination test (SAT)-this test was first introduced in 1897, it still relies upon today for the serodiagnosis of brucellosis. In endemic areas, SAT is the most widely employed serological test.
• Incomplete, blocking, or non-agglutinating IgG can be detected with the help of the Coombs test.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the test of choice for focused, difficult, and chronic patients. it may detect immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA) during 4 to 6 hours.  ELISA is a highly effective tool for both the detection of Brucella antibodies and the discrimination between the acute and chronic stages of the disease in large populations. It has been proven by the research community that ELISA assays are quick, accurate, sensitive, and specific.  
• The laboratory diagnosis of human brucellosis has benefited from advancements in molecular-based technology. Pure Brucella culture DNA and DNA from clinical specimens can both be amplified and detected using PCR tests. Extracting Brucella DNA from whole blood, serum, and tissue samples .
• A single-pairPCR technique was devised to amplify the target genomic sequence of Brucella species for the diagnosis of human brucellosis.  PCR is a more sensitive approach than culture methods,  for the initial diagnosis of infection.

Detection of Brucella antibodies in livestock milk.

• The milk ring test (MRT) was first introduced by Fleischhauer in Germany in 1937; it is the best test for screening the milk of suspected cases of animal brucellosis. MRT is characterized by simplicity, ease, accuracy, and inexpensive method, also MRT is not consumed time. Therefore, MRT is considered the method of choice for the surveillance of dairy herds. This test mainly detects the Brucella antibodies IgM and IgA in fresh milk.
• Detection Techniques of Brucella Milk and Dairy Products-The isolation method is the most accurate way to diagnose brucellosis . This method is highly specific and allows for biotyping of Brucella species isolates. Without particular supplements such as blood, serum, or tissue extracts. Moreover, without intense movement of the liquid medium, Brucella species typically develop poorly .  Brucella species cultures can grow properly on solid media and colonies can be easily identified. Brucella species grow well on Brucella medium base, tryptone soya agar, glycerol dextrose agar, and sucrose dextrose agar containing 5% bovine or horse serum . It is best to use a nonselective Castaneda’s medium to isolate Brucella species from milk, blood, or any other bodily fluid. Due to the large number of contaminants present, a selective medium is advised for the primary isolation of Brucella 

Prevention and control of human brucellosis

• Milk and dairy products play an important role in the transmission of Brucella to humans, and the risks are increased because an infectious dose of just 10-100 organisms is sufficient to cause systemic infection.
• Brucellosis is zoonotic Therefore, the only way to effectively prevent sickness in humans is to remove the animal reservoir.
• Medical, public health and veterinary authorities must often work together to eradicate brucellosis and ensure its prevention and control.
• The concept of “One Health” (OH) is a catch- all phrase referring to the commonalities between people, animals, plants, and the environment. Integrative health practices are encouraged by increasing cross-disciplinary communication and coordination.

What medications are used to treat brucellosis?

• Antibiotics prescribe to treat brucellosis include: Streptomycin , Rifampin,Doxycycline,Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole,Ciprofloxacin.

• The process of pasteurization-Boiling,Ultra heat treatment (UHT)  are imp for dairy industry -various kinds of cheese, especially soft cheeses made from raw milk, as they may harbor high numbers of Brucella species if they have not been adequately heated. The acidification methods used to make sour milk, sour cream, yogurt, and butter; all drastically lower the Brucella concentration. the rennet enzyme, if it is made from the stomachs of Brucella-infected ruminants, can potentially be a source of infection . Rennet enzyme is a complex set of enzymes, such as chymosin, pepsin, and lipase, naturally present in the fourth stomach or abomasum of an unweaned calf, kid, or lamb. Chymosin essentially turns milk into a soft cheese in the stomach .
• Meat and meat products– contaminated meat and meat products may be a vector for spreading the disease, especially if they are sourced from animals slaughtered during the acute phase of the disease and are eaten raw meat. Not only the hunters and butchers but also other family members may have contact with the meat.All meat products must be fully cooked prior to consumption because meat borne brucellosis cannot be prevented by using most common meat preservation methods such as salting, drying, smoking, refrigeration, or freezing .
• Personal hygiene-Veterinarians, laboratory employees, meat inspectors, abattoir workers, farm laborers, farmers, inseminators, stockmen, and anyone involved in the processing of animal products are at a high risk of occupational exposure to Brucella infection. Procedures involving aborting animals, aborted materials, or those in the process of parturition, as well as clinical examination, inspection, shearing, dipping, insemination, treatment, vaccination, and the disinfection and cleaning of contaminated premises pose a particularly high risk of spreading brucellosis. Everyone working in potentially hazardous environments should dress appropriately and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  consists of an overall or coat, a rubber or plastic apron, rubber gloves, boots, a face shield  and a respirator (a mask) .Immediately after coming into contact with the animal, fetus, placenta, or animal secretions, wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water.
• Apply antiseptic (tincture of iodine, for example) and plaster or self-adhering bandage to any wounds or scrapes that you find.
• Work garments should be used only for the work and after each use, they should be boiled, steamed, fumigated with formaldehyde, or soaked in a disinfectant solution of suitable concentration, such as phenolic soap, iodophor, hypochlorite, or chloramine.
• Shoe disinfection is essential to prevent the spread of disease from outside the home or tent to the living space.Sanitize yourself.
• Eye protection is essential because of the high risk of infection from conjunctival contamination, and any infectious material that enters the eye must be removed under clean or aseptic conditions away from the work area.
• Respiratory contamination is also a high risk in heavily infected environments. Protect yourself from breathing in dust or aerosols created by dried excreta or tissues discharged after abortion, parturition, or slaughter by donning a mask.
• Serological testing at regular intervals is a great way to keep an eye on the health of your workforce. Before commencing work, new hires are encouraged to submit a blood sample as a baseline.
• Pregnant women and children under the age of 18 should not be allowed to work in hazardous environments.
• Occupational hygiene-is the study of how to prevent, detect, evaluate, and remediate risks to workers’ health and safety on the job, while also considering the potential effects on the larger community. This field of study improves working conditions and practices by raising awareness of potential dangers among employers and workers.
• Teams whose duties need them to come into contact with diseased animals or animal byproducts. Farmers, stockmen, shepherds, dairymen, goatherds, abattoir workers, butchers, and those who do artificial insemination are among these professionals
• Groups whose work involves the processing of hides, viscera, wool, and skins, as well as individuals involved in the servicing of buildings or machinery used for these purposes.they prevent themselves by infection.
• Laboratory biosafety- Brucellae are classified as a high-risk pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), placing them in risk group 3.
• Brucellae are rarely present in sufficient numbers to provide a substantial risk to people handling blood samples and biopsy material for either serological or bacteriological diagnosis. When Brucellae have been cultured, however, they multiply to serious levels, necessitating special safety measures. It is also necessary to use biosafety level 3 equipment, methods, and practices. 
• Farm hygiene– When work with suspected animal, farmhands and animal caretakers should take precautions by wearing protective gear or using personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Use an approved disinfectant, such as iodophor, hypochlorite, or phenolic disinfectant, to clean any location where an abortion or infected parturition took place.
• After handling potentially hazardous materials, agricultural equipment should be disinfected by submerging it in a solution of diluted caustic soda, iodophor, or phenolic soap.
• Liquid manure, which can remain infectious for long periods of time, especially at low temperatures requires special attention, including daily removal, burning, or disinfecting before disposal.
• Disinfectants should be used in a shallow trough for vehicles entering or exiting.
• After cleaning and disinfecting a building that has previously housed animals infected with Brucella, the building should not be restocked for at least four weeks.
• Buildings that have not been decontaminated should not have maintenance employees (such as builders, plumbers, or electricians) present.
• Preventing rodent and insect entry to buildings should be a top priority for building maintenance.
• Fly screens, light traps, and insecticides should be used to reduce the number of flying insects and keep rodent populations under control.
• Making available the best possible living conditions in terms of things like clean water, clean air, and clean storage sheds.
• Hygienic among slaughterhouse-The term “slaughterhouse” or “abattoir” refers to a facility that has been licensed by the appropriate government agency to perform sanitary animal slaughtering and inspection, including pre and postmortem examinations, as well as processing, preservation, and storage of meat products for human consumption. Slaughterhouse operations provide the fundamental environment and operating conditions needed to produce safe meat and meat products. Good manufacturing practices (GMPs), good hygiene practices (GHPs), and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are all examples . Slaughterhouse personnel must adhere to the rules of the expert authority for how to deal with brucellosis to ensure that the postmortem inspection is conducted under proper conditions.
• Brucellosis-infected animals must be butchered in a separate area of the main slaughterhouse called the “emergency slaughterhouse,” where the workforce has received specialized training and has access to specialized equipment , should dress in personal protective equipment (PPE).
• In the workplace, no one should be allowed to eat, drink, or smoke. Required facilities for the disinfection of protective materials and personal washing should be available.

Control of reemergence brucellosis-The World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization/World Organization for Animal Health joint consultation on emerging zoonotic diseases, held in Geneva in 2004, defined an emerging zoonotic as “a pathogen that is newly recognized or newly evolved, or that has occurred previously but shows an increase in incidence or expansion in geographical or vector range.

• Brucellosis have emerged as a result of different causes, including global travel and commerce; climate change and weather; changing ecosystems; human demographics and behavior; poverty and social inequality; breakdown in public health measures; the industrialization of food production; globalization; microbial adaptation, in addition, to change in technology and industry; and economic development and land use .
• Vaccination-live attenuated vaccine like B.abortus S19, B.melitensis strain Rev1,and M5 and B.suis strain S2.all are in 4-8 months of age in female calves.
• Vector vaccines-there are varius bacterial and viral vectorlike Lactococcus lactis,Escherichia coli,Salmonella strains.
• Subuit vaccine-freund’s adjuvant,alum adjuvant and aluminium hydroxide.
• Prevalence of Human Brucellosis due to the Intake of Milk and Other Dairy Products-Brucellosis is a severe illness acquired by humans through consuming contaminated milk and dairy products .  It has been consistently found that consuming raw, unpasteurized milk and fresh cheese is a major contributor to the illness . Previous research has also confirmed that raw or undercooked milk is the leading cause of human brucellosis. All affected individuals had a history of consuming unpasteurized milk, resulting in an average incidence rate of 87.3% .  

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