Evaluation of brucellosis cases

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate 145 brucellosis cases that were followed and treated in our clinic over a period of ten years in many aspects. Material and Methods: One hundred and forty-five brucellosis cases followed in our clinic between January 01, 2001 and December 31, 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Age, gender, risk factors, symptoms, findings, laboratory tests, blood cultures, serological tests, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, treatment and treatment side effects, the response of fever and pain symptoms to treatment, and relationships between the stages of the disease and laboratory values were examined. Results: Of the 145 patients, 40% were female (n=58) and 60% were male (n=87); 58.6% of the patients had a history of drinking raw milk, eating fresh cheese, or dealing with animal husbandry, and 8.3% had a history of contamination in the laboratory. In 33.1%, the transmission route could not be detected. 59.3% of the patients were diagnosed with acute brucellosis (0-2 months), 32.4% were diagnosed with subacute brucellosis (2-12 months), 3.5% were diagnosed with chronic brucellosis (>12 months), 4.8% (n=7) had a relapse. The most common symptoms were fever (64.8%), malaise (51.7%), low back pain (48.3%), arthralgia (46.2%), sweating (42.8%), while the most common findings were spondylitis (31%), hepatomegaly (15.2%), and splenomegaly (13.8%). Brucella spp. grew in 17.9% of blood cultures. Discussion: Brucella spp. may have various clinical presentations, affecting all organs. Brucellosis should also be considered in the differential diagnosis in risky groups presenting with fever, fatigue, arthralgia, spondylitis, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.