Brucellosis in One Health: Contemporary Considerations for an Ancient Zoonosis

During this session, two diagnosticians from Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center and NYS Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will review the zoonotic agent Brucella within a One Health context. While brucellosis has been eradicated from domestic livestock in the USA, its detection in companion animals (Brucella canis), wildlife reservoirs (Brucella suis and Brucella abortus), and enzootic presence internationally pose a threat to human and animal health. Veterinarians, laboratory personnel, and animal care providers are among those most at risk for Brucella exposure. Although not endemic in the USA, Brucella melitensis warrants awareness as it poses a risk to international travelers.  Dr. Toby Pinn-Woodcock and Dr. Cassandra Guarino will unpack the reasons why brucellosis is challenging to diagnose and treat, including the tendency of Brucella spp to produce nonspecific, insidious clinical signs, the limitations of available diagnostic assays, and the organism’s ability to evade antimicrobial therapy, making prevention essential.