Brucella species:
Brucella is distributed in nature worldwide and found in domesticated and wild animals, such as cattle, sheep, and wild hogs or pigs. Infection with Brucella species, known as brucellosis, is caused in humans by exposure to infected animal fluids or food products. This includes ingesting non-pasteurized dairy products, such as milk or cheese, inhaling aerosols, and skin contact with the fluids of infected animals. Brucellosis increases the risk of occupational exposure to laboratory, veterinary, and slaughterhouse workers. Brucella is the most commonly reported laboratory-associated bacterial infection.
Burkholderia mallei and B. pseudomallei:
Most Burkholderia are found in soil, but B. mallei is only found in mammals. B. mallei is the causative agent for Glanders, which primarily affects animals such as donkeys, mules, and horses. Horses, the organism's natural host, are highly susceptible to infection. Human infection is rare and usually occurs in people working with infected animals or laboratory workers handling the organism. The organism is endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. Usually, it enters via the eyes, nose, mouth, abrasions or cuts in the skin, or through inhalation.
B. pseudomallei is found in soil and water and can accidentally infect animals, plants, and rarely humans. It is the causative agent of melioidosis, which is endemic in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Northern Australia. The organism generally enters through cuts in the skin, ingestion of contaminated water, or inhalation of an aerosol.
