What is Microbiology - Undulating Fever

​Undulating Fever

Undulating fever is caused by brucella. 

Brucella can be detected via culture and serological analysis. 

There are four species of brucella such as brucella melitensis (  target goats and sheep), brucella canis ( target dogs), brucella suis ( target swine) and brucella abortus (target cattle). Brucella is a gram negative rod. 

This forms of undulating fever is also known as Mediterranean remittent fever and Malta fever. Patient may also suffer from headache, fatigue and chills. 

The common mode of transmission is ingestion of contaminated cheese or milk, or due to cut or breaks in the skin ( direct inoculation) from contact with infected animals. 

Pasteurization of the milk products are required.

Remittent fever may occur due to the release or periodic endotoxin. Granulomas may also be formed form intracellular survival in cells of the reticuloendothelial system.

Patient should be treated with antibiotic such as tetracycline, trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin and rifampicin.