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Multiple Choice

There are seven classical species of Brucella. Which is considered the most virulent Brucella spp. for humans?

Brucella species differ in how readily they cause disease in people, with some being more pathogenic than others. The most virulent human Brucella among the classical species is Brucella melitensis. It has a higher ability to invade and survive inside human cells, causes more widespread and severe infection, and often requires a lower infectious dose to establish disease. Goats and sheep are its main reservoirs, and melitensis infections historically result in more serious illness than infections from abortus (cattle), suis (pigs), or canis (dogs). So, for humans, melitensis is the peak in virulence among these options.

Brucella species differ in how readily they cause disease in people, with some being more pathogenic than others. The most virulent human Brucella among the classical species is Brucella melitensis. It has a higher ability to invade and survive inside human cells, causes more widespread and severe infection, and often requires a lower infectious dose to establish disease. Goats and sheep are its main reservoirs, and melitensis infections historically result in more serious illness than infections from abortus (cattle), suis (pigs), or canis (dogs). So, for humans, melitensis is the peak in virulence among these options.