Study of Profile of Patients of Osteoarticular Brucellosis in a Rheumatology Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis, causedby a small gram-negative coccobacillus and comprising of 10species, all of which do not cause disease in humans. This studyaimed to highlight the spectrum of clinical manifestationsand laboratory and imaging parameters of cases diagnosedas osteoarticular brucellosis in a Rheumatology Clinic of atertiary hospital.Material and Methods: Records of patients diagnosed asosteoarticular brucellosis based on antibody detection bycomplement fixation test or by ELISA were included in thisstudy. All patients who had positive tests as mentioned abovewere incorporated into the study.Results: Patients of osteoarticular brucellosis were mostlyyoung individuals with no sex preponderance. They neitherrecalled having fever or exposure to livestock, nor didthey belong to the high-risk category like animal handlers,veterinarians, etc. Their presenting features mimickedSpondyloarthritis (SpA). These patients have some commonfeatures which may help in distinguishing them from trueSpA.Conclusion: It is very difficult to distinguish osteoarticularbrucellosis from Spondyloarthritis. Apart from high index ofsuspicion, few clinical and laboratory features may be helpfulas indicators for further evaluation