Species of Brucella acquired from contact with goats & sheeps –
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease, so each species tends to infect certain animals. For example, I remember that Brucella abortus is linked to cattle, B. suis to swine, B. melitensis to goats and sheep, and B. canis to dogs. Since the question mentions goats and sheep, the correct answer should be B. melitensis.
Now, looking at the options, even though they aren't listed, the correct answer is likely option C or D. Wait, the user didn't provide the options, but the correct answer is given as "B. melitensis". The wrong options might include B. abortus (cattle), B. suis (pigs), and B. canis (dogs). Each of these is incorrect because they are associated with different animals.
The clinical pearl here is to remember the mnemonics: "Abortus Cows, Suis Pigs, Melitensis Goats/Sheep, Canis Dogs." This helps in linking each Brucella species to their reservoirs. Also, B. melitensis is a common cause in humans due to consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected goats or sheep.
So, the correct answer is B. melitensis, and the explanation should highlight the host associations and the clinical relevance.
**Core Concept**
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by *Brucella* species, each with a specific animal reservoir. *Brucella melitensis* is the most common cause of human brucellosis and is transmitted via contact with infected goats, sheep, and their unpasteurized dairy products.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
*Brucella melitensis* is classically associated with goats and sheep, making it the correct answer. It causes severe disease in humans due to its high virulence and ability to cross the placenta in animals, leading to abortions. Transmission occurs through consumption of contaminated milk or direct contact with infected animal tissues.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Brucella abortus* infects cattle, not goats or sheep.
**Option B:** *Brucella suis* is linked to swine (pigs), not ruminants.
**Option D:** *Brucella canis* infects dogs and is not zoonotic in humans.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the mnemonic: **A**bortus (**A**)**C**ows, **S**uis (**S**)**P**igs, **M**elitensis (**M**)**G**oats/Sheep, **C**anis (**C**)**D**ogs. *Brucella melitensis* is the most common human pathogen among *Brucella* species.
**Correct Answer: C. Brucella melitensis**