Brucella spp. primarily infects which type of cells in humans?

Brucella spp. primarily infects monocytes and macrophages in humans, which is fundamental to understanding the pathogenesis of brucellosis. Once Brucella bacteria are introduced into the human body, they are phagocytosed by these immune cells. However, instead of being destroyed, Brucella can survive and replicate inside these cells, leading to persistent infection. This mechanism allows Brucella to evade the host immune response, contributing to its chronic nature and the difficulties associated with treatment.

The presence of Brucella in monocytes and macrophages facilitates its dissemination throughout the body, where it can cause systemic infections and lead to various clinical manifestations. This cellular tropism is a key aspect of the disease process and highlights the importance of these immune cells in the pathophysiology of brucellosis.

Understanding that Brucella specifically targets monocytes and macrophages is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for brucellosis and for recognizing the types of immune responses that are activated during infection.