Occupational infection due to Brucella abortus S19 among workers involved

WALLACH JC; FERRERO MC; DELPINO MV; BALDI PC

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION

WILEY -BLACKWELL

Lugar: París; Año: 2008 vol. 14 p. 805 - 807

1198-743X

ABSTRACT The pathological consequences of the exposure to the vaccine strain Brucella abortus S19 were evaluated in 30 employees from vaccine manufacturing plants. Active brucellosis was diagnosed in 21 subjects, from which only 5 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 S19 handling should be implemented.