Maternal and congenital brucellosis in Texas: changing travel patterns and laboratory implications

J Immigr Minor Health. 2010 Dec;12(6):952-5. doi: 10.1007/s10903-009-9295-y.

Abstract

Brucellosis is an uncommon disease in the US, but Texas reports approximately a third of cases. We review the investigation of a pair of mother-infant cases that were unique in the demographics, the nature of travel exposure and the resulting brucellosis exposure in a hospital's delivery suite and laboratory. These cases illustrate the changing nature of travel and the need to obtain a relevant travel history and adequate laboratory procedures. Clinicians and laboratory workers in Texas need to understand that brucellosis remains an endemic disease, but that its epidemiology is changing.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brucellosis / congenital*
  • Brucellosis / epidemiology*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Mothers*
  • Texas / epidemiology
  • Travel*