Malta fever

Malta fever, also known as Brucellosis, is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions. It is named after the island of Malta where it was first identified in the 19th century during an epidemic among British troops.

Symptoms and signs

The most common symptoms of Malta fever include fever, sweating, weakness, malaise, anorexia, headache, pain in muscles, joint pain and back pain. In some cases, infections can lead to complications like endocarditis, hepatitis, splenomegaly and neurological disorders.

Cause

Malta fever is caused by various Brucella species, which are small, gram-negative, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped (coccobacilli) bacteria. They are functionally monophasic, so can survive and multiply in both intracellular and extracellular environments.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Malta fever is made by identifying the causative organism in blood cultures or by serology. The Rose Bengal test is the most commonly used screening test.

Treatment

Treatment for Malta fever usually involves a combination of antibiotics like doxycycline, rifampicin, and streptomycin. The duration of treatment is typically several weeks to months.

Prevention

Prevention of Malta fever primarily involves vaccination of domestic animals and pasteurization of milk.

See also

• List of notifiable diseases
• Zoonosis
• Brucellosis in dogs

References

Malta fever Resources
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