We report an outbreak of laboratory-acquired Brucella abortus infection ori
ginating in the accidental breakage of a centrifuge tube. A total of 12 lab
oratory workers were infected (attack rate of 31%), with an incubation time
ranging from 6 weeks to 5 months. Antibody titers were evaluated weekly in
all personnel exposed, allowing the diagnosis of the infection in most cas
es before the onset of clinical symptoms, so that specific therapy could be
administrated.