Brucellosis in United Kingdom – a risk to laboratory workers? Recommendations for prevention and management of laboratory exposure
Srinivasulu Reddy 1*, Rohini Manuel 1, Elizabeth Sheridan 1, Garry Sadler 2, Sneha Patel 3 and Peter Riley 4
1 Barts and The London NHS Trust, United Kingdom
2 Barts and The London NHS trust, United Kingdom
3 Kingston Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
4 St. George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, United Kingdom
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: srinivasulu.reddy{at}bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk.
Accepted 21 April 2008
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Abstract |
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Brucella spp. is an uncommon class 3 pathogen isolated in laboratories serving nonendemic areas. We report four recent cases of brucellosis diagnosed at five different London laboratories which highlights the need to maintain a high index of suspicion for brucellosis in patients with a history of travel to and/or consumption of unpasteurised foods from endemic areas. We propose a protocol for risk categorisation, and describe the strategy adopted for serological follow-up of exposed staff and use of postexposure prophylaxis.
