BRUCELLOSIS: EVALUATION OF 201 CASES IN AN ENDEMIC AREA OF MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

Abstract

Objectives: Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease endemic in some countries and in the countries of the Mediterranean region, including Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiological and clinical characteristics of brucellosis patients followed in two Southwestern Anatolian hospitals. Patients and methods: Between January 2004 and December 2012, 201 cases of brucellosis over the age of 15 followed in Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine and Isparta State Hospital were included to the study. The charts of these patients were retrospectively evaluated and patient complaints, physical examination findings, clinical and laboratory findings, complications and treatment results were evaluated on separate forms and recorded. Results: There were 94 female and 107 male patients, total 201, between the age of 15 and 88. The most important route of infection was ingestion of unpasteurized milk products. Most frequent symptoms were fever, arthralgia, fatigue and hyperhidrosis, while most frequent findings were fever, splenomegaly and hepatonzegaly. Most frequently involved system was the musculoskeletal. Epididymoorchitis was present in 8,9 % of the patients, haematological involvement were detected in 40% of the patients, with anaemia being most frequent. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were found to be elevated in 83.1% and in 72.6% respectively. Standard tube agglutination (STA) or Coombs tube agglutination tests were positive in 94.5% of the cases. Relapse occurred in 6.4% of the cases. Conclusion: Brucellosis is zoonotic disease affecting dfferent organs and systems thus presenting with various symptoms and findings. It is especially important that in endemic areas clinicians and family physicians should be informed of the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of brucellosis in order to prevent delayed diagnosis and complications. Furthermore, considering that the most important way of infection is still the use of unpasteurized milk products and animal farming, we believe that it is necessary to work on preventive measures.