A Florida man in his 70s faced a life-threatening ordeal after contracting an extremely rare infection linked to a surprising source: a feral pig he consumed in 2017. The case highlights the potential risks of consuming wild game and underscores the importance of proper food handling and safety measures.
The man, who had an implanted defibrillator, received the pig as a gift from a local hunter. he recalls handling the raw meat with his bare hands before cooking it. Years later, he began experiencing a range of troubling symptoms, including fever, intermittent pain, fluid buildup, and hardening of the skin on the left side of his chest.
Experts believe that handling the raw meat was the point of exposure to Brucella suis, a bacterium that causes brucellosis. Brucellosis is the most common bacterial infection that spreads from animals to humans, typically carried by cows, goats, sheep, and pigs.
The infection proved difficult to diagnose. According to a case study,the insidious bacteria had made its way into the man’s defibrillator,passing through the chest wall,the left subclavian vein,and into the muscular tissue of his left ventricle.Because antibiotics struggle to reach implanted devices due to limited blood supply, doctors determined that fully replacing the defibrillator was the safest course of action.
While a Brucella infection of a defibrillator is rare, with only one such case found in a 30-year review of 5,287 patients with defibrillators, the Florida man’s experience is a reminder of the dangers of bacterial infections.
The man’s diagnosis followed a series of delays. Symptoms began in the spring of 2019, long after he had handled the raw pig meat. The patient, who also suffered from type 2 diabetes and heart failure, was hospitalized multiple times and treated with various antibiotics. Initial blood cultures identified a different bacterium, and an ultrasound revealed the defibrillator had shifted.
In 2020, his persistent symptoms prompted him to seek further treatment at a Veterans Affairs Medical Centre in Gainesville, Florida.
Despite no outward signs of bacteria on the defibrillator, doctors suspected a hidden infection and removed the device. Lab analysis confirmed the presence of B. suis, revealing the initial misidentification.
The authors of the case study Emerging Infectious diseases write, “Significant delays between Brucella exposure and clinical symptoms have been previously reported in patients with cardiac implantable electronic device infections. In this case, the intermittent use of antibiotics with device retainment likely led to a prolonged clinical course.”
Following six weeks of antibiotic treatment, the man’s infection cleared. He received a new defibrillator four months after the removal of the original device. More then three years later, his blood shows no clinical evidence of brucellosis.
The case serves as “a cautionary tale to all who partake in eating unpasteurized dairy products or wild animals.”
Feral swine (Sus scrofa) are the primary carriers of B. suis in the U.S. Livestock are frequently enough vaccinated against the infection. With more than 1 million feral pigs estimated to live in Florida, the infection might potentially be endemic in some regions. This poses a threat to not only human health, but also the agricultural economy of Florida. Feral pigs cause serious damage to crops and property.
The centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several precautions for hunters and others who handle wild game, including wearing gloves, thoroughly cooking meat to a safe internal temperature, and avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked wild game.This instance is a reminder of how crucial it is to exercise care when handling any wild game.
What precautions should hunters and consumers of wild game take to minimize their risk of contracting brucellosis?
Table of Contents
- 1. What precautions should hunters and consumers of wild game take to minimize their risk of contracting brucellosis?
- 2. The Dangers of Wild Game: An Interview with Dr. Evelyn Reed on Brucellosis
- 3. Understanding Brucellosis and Its Transmission
- 4. Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges
- 5. Preventive Measures and Public Health Concerns
- 6. A Call to Action for Responsible Wild Game Consumption
The Dangers of Wild Game: An Interview with Dr. Evelyn Reed on Brucellosis
Archyde News Editor: Welcome,Dr. Reed.Thank you for joining us today.Recent news regarding a Florida man contracting brucellosis from consuming feral pig meat has raised meaningful health concerns. Can you shed some light on this rare but perilous bacterial infection?
Dr. Evelyn Reed (Infectious Disease Specialist): Thank you for having me. Indeed,this case highlights a very critically importent public health issue. Brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella suis, is primarily spread from animals to humans, and in the United States, feral pigs are a major carrier. The Florida case, with the infection affecting the man’s defibrillator, underscores the severity and complexity of brucellosis.
Understanding Brucellosis and Its Transmission
Archyde News Editor: For our audience, can you explain how Brucellosis is transmitted, specifically in cases involving wild game?
Dr. Reed: The primary mode of transmission is through direct contact with infected animals or their products – in this case,raw or undercooked feral pig meat. Simply handling raw meat without proper protection, like gloves, can lead to infection. Ingesting contaminated meat is another route. The bacterium can then enter the body and cause the disease.
Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges
Archyde News editor: The Florida man’s case shows that diagnosis was delayed given that the man’s defibrillator became infected wich is a rare event. How arduous is it to diagnose brucellosis, and what are the common treatment approaches?
dr. Reed: Diagnosing *Brucella* infections can sometimes be challenging because symptoms are often non-specific,such as fever,fatigue,and body aches,which mimic other common illnesses. Confirmation usually requires blood tests or cultures. treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics – months long treatment is often required. The unusual aspect of the Florida case, with the infection involving the defibrillator, considerably complex treatment as antibiotics face difficulty in reaching such internalized devices.
Preventive Measures and Public Health Concerns
Archyde News Editor: What precautions should hunters and consumers of wild game take to minimize their risk?
Dr. Reed: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers good guidelines.Always wear gloves when handling wild game, thoroughly cook the meat to a safe internal temperature (to kill bacteria), and absolutely avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat. Also,be mindful of the origin of your wild game; are you aware of the health of the animal population in your hunting area?
Archyde News Editor: With a large population of feral pigs in Florida,as mentioned in the case,what are the implications from a public health and economic outlook?
Dr. Reed: Feral pigs pose a dual threat. They can spread diseases like brucellosis to livestock, impacting agriculture and the economy. They also damage crops and property. Control efforts and public awareness are key to managing thes risks and protecting both human and animal health.
A Call to Action for Responsible Wild Game Consumption
Archyde News Editor: What final message would you like to share with our readers regarding the consumption of wild game?
Dr. Reed: This case is a crucial reminder. Handle wild game with extreme care. Appreciate the potential risks, prioritize food safety, and follow established public health guidelines. It’s not just about the immediate risks; it’s about protecting your long-term health.
Archyde News Editor: Dr. Reed, thank you very much for your informative insights.We appreciate your time and expertise on this important issue.
dr. Evelyn Reed: My pleasure.
Archyde News Editor: Readers, what steps do you take when handling and preparing wild game? share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
