Aspects epidemio-cliniques et therapeutiques de la brucellose en Tunisie A propos de l'epidemie de Gafsa

ABSTRACT

This prospective study was carried out, in south Tunisia, to evaluate epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical aspects of brucellosis and elaborate a preventive strategy. Three hundred niniteen patients with brucellosis, notified in Gafsa district, were reviewed from January 1th, 1992 to December 31st, 1992. Serological confirmation was obtained in all cases. One hundred ninety three men [60,5%] and 126 women [39,5%] were studied. Mean age was of 39,4 [range 3-85] years. The majority of these patients [74,3%] lived in rural districts. Consumption of unpasteurized milk [93,4%], contact with domestic animals [84%] and professional exposition[35,7%] were the main modes of contamination. The high frequency of family cases is noteworthy and emphasize the insufficiency of sanitary measures and the herds promiscuits in rural districts. We demonstrated that the combination of oxytetracyclin, 35 mg/kg/day, for 6 weeks and rifampin, 20 mg/kg/day, for 3 weeks is an effective treatment. The relapse rate was 3,7%, if we excluded reinfection cases by persistent exposition. This epidemic, secondary to insuffiscent preventive measures and importation of infected animals from a bordering country, emphasized the relationship between animal and human disease and take an enterst in a better breeding organisation. The positive results of our preventive action demonstrated the importance of sanitary measures. Rigourous application of other recommendations is necessary to sea a regression of the disease