Human disease caused by Brucella canis. A clinical and epidemiologic study of two cases.

Nonlaboratory-associated human illness caused by Brucella canis occurred in two persons. Fever, chills, malaise, and weight loss were prominent symptoms in both patients. Epidemiologic investigation identified a household dog as the likely source of one patient's infection, and serologic studies and blood cultures on neighborhood dogs showed that approximately 30% were positive for B canis. Persons exposed to infected dogs appeared to have a low risk of disease. Although routine Brucella agglutinin tests do not detect antibodies to B canis, available methods for diagnosis include a specific B canis serologic test and culture techniques.