Photo credit: arstechnica.com
B. suis is a highly contagious bacterium predominantly found in pigs, known to cause significant reproductive issues such as stillbirths. Aside from reproductive losses, pigs may also exhibit symptoms like abscesses and arthritis. In humans, the bacterium leads to a challenging-to-detect infection known as brucellosis, which encompasses infections caused by various Brucella species, including B. suis, B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. canis.
Annually, the United States reports approximately 80 to 140 cases of brucellosis, predominantly associated with B. melitensis and B. abortus. Most human infections arise from the consumption of raw (unpasteurized) dairy products, whereas B. suis infections are primarily linked to the hunting and processing of wild pigs.
Historically, the Brucella species were classified as select agents by the U.S. government, a category designated for pathogens and toxins that could pose serious public health threats, particularly in context of bioterrorism. Currently, the select agents list includes items such as anthrax and Ebola virus. The classification was based on the ease with which Brucella species can be aerosolized and the minimal quantity needed to provoke an infection. Infected individuals may experience both localized and systemic infections that can manifest in various forms: brain infections, arthritis, cardiovascular complications, neurological conditions, and more, as outlined in a comprehensive overview of the disease.
In a notable regulatory change, federal officials announced in January the removal of Brucella species from the select agents list. This decision enables broader research possibilities and facilitates veterinary studies aimed at developing vaccines for animal populations, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in their official statements.
Current Concerns
Following the identification of B. suis in a recent case, medical professionals sought to trace how the patient might have contracted this unusual strain. The individual, who identified as someone without a hunting background, mentioned receiving feral swine meat as a gift from a local hunter multiple times in 2017. Although he couldn’t remember the specific hunter involved, he recalled handling the raw meat and blood directly with his hands—a known risk factor for transmission—before he cooked and consumed it.
Source
arstechnica.com