Occupational infection due to Brucella abortus S19 among workers involved in vaccine production in Argentine.

JORGE WALLACH; MARIANA FERRERO; M VICTORIA DELPINO; C. ALBERTO FOSSATI; PABLO C BALDI

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2008 vol. 14 p. 805 - 807

1198-743X

The pathological consequences of exposure to the vaccine strain Brucella abortus S19 were evaluated in 30 employees from vaccine-manufacturing plants. Active brucellosis was diagnosed in 21 subjects, of whom only five recalled an accidental exposure. Clinical manifestations were mild, and only one patient presented a complication. After antimicrobial therapy, initially symptomatic patients either experienced clinical remission or had mild persistent symptoms. This is the first study reporting infection by B. abortus S19 among workers from vaccine-manufacturing plants, which in many cases was acquired from unnoticed exposures. Measures to improve the safety of B. abortus S19 handling should be implemented.