The following forms of brucellosis can be distinguished:
- Subclinical brucellosis – infection that proceeds without clinical signs; 90% of cases.
- Acute/subacute brucellosis – sudden onset/slow onset infection with fever; fever-free intervals may occur
- Chronic brucellosis (> 1 year) – form occurring in circa five percent of infected individuals after undetected or improperly administered therapy.
- Localized brucellosis – infection that often manifests in bones and joints.
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate brucellosis:
Symptoms of acute/subacute brucellosis.
- Fever – fever-free intervals of several days may occur (febris undulans, “undulating fever”).
- Night sweats (night sweats).
- Nausea (nausea)/vomiting
- Fatigue
- Cephalgia (headache)
Symptoms of chronic brucellosis
- Nonspecific general symptomatology
- Reduction in performance
- Depression
- Sweating
- Spondylitis – inflammation of the vertebral joints.
- Uveitis – inflammation of the middle eye skin.
- Hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen).
- Fever
Symptoms of localized brucellosis
- Anemia (anemia)
- Arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
- Bursitis (bursitis)
- Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
- Endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart)
- Epididymo-orchitis – inflammation of the testicles and epididymis.
- Leukopenia – decrease in white blood cells.
- Meningitis (meningitis)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum)
- Pneumonia (pneumonia)
- Sacroiliitis – inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, which is located between the sacrum and the hip bone.
- Thrombocytopenia – reduction in blood platelets.
