BRUCELLOSIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM: A FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE

Brucellosis is a chronic granulomatous infection which is endemic in Mediterranean countries and Turkey. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical, laboratory findings and therapeutic features in patients with brucellosis. A retrospective study was conducted with 91 patients who developed brucellosis between 2005 to 2009. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings compatible with brucellosis, serological tests positive, and/or isolation of Brucella species from blood, or other tissues. The mean age was 33 years (16-67 years). Sixty-threes of patients (69.2%) were male. Forty (44%) cases had an occupational history relevant for Brucella exposure and 85 (93%) cases consumption with contaminated animal product. The mean diagnostic delay was 15 days, much longer in focal brucellosis. A total of 77 (85 %) cases had acute brucellosis. The focal brucellosis complications were observed in 39 (42.8%) cases: osteoarticular involvement 32 (82%), epididymo-orchitis 4 (10%), and central nervous system involvement 3 (8%). Chronic brucellosis occurs in 3 (3.3%) cases. Clinical manifestations included non-specific symptoms such as fever (95%). sweats (90%), arthralgia and lower back pain (63%). Of the patients 84 (92%) had serological titre =1/160 and 28 (31%) blood cultures were positive. All of the patients were cured by antibiotic therapy (Doxycycline+rifampicin/streptomycine, streptomycine+rifampicin/Doxycycline, ceftiraxone/rifampicin). Relapse was observed in 5 (5.4%) patients. Brucellosis is an infection with multiple presentations. Its early diagnosis was mandatory to avoid severe complications.