Retrospective analysis of epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, and complications of 1 279 adult brucellosis patients in Hulunbuir City / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the clinical data of adult patients with brucellosis and provide scientific basis for treatment of brucellosis.Methods:The medical records of 1 279 adult brucellosis patients treated in the Brucellosis Department of Hulunbuir People's Hospital from January 2013 to December 2020 were selected. Epidemiological characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory examination, complications and curative effect were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Among the 1 279 cases of brucellosis, there were 797 males and 482 females, with an average age of (39 ± 15) years. There were 464 cases in acute stage, 815 cases in chronic stage, and 1 221 cases contacted with animal fur such as cattle, sheep and sheep skin. The main clinical manifestations were fatigue (974), fever (819), hyperhidrosis (674) and joint and muscle pain (752). Spleen enlargement was the most common sign, with 151 cases in sequence. There were 623 complications in 1 279 patients with brucellosis. Bone and joint damage, blood system damage and liver damage were more common, with 563, 298 and 264 cases, respectively. Some patients even had multiple system damage. The titer range of in vitro agglutination test (SAT) in 1 279 patients with brucellosis was 1 ∶ 50++ to 1 ∶ 1 600++; 198 cases were positive for Brucella in blood culture; SAT was positive in 8 cases of cerebrospinal fluid and 4 cases of pleural effusion. There were 114 cases of leucopenia, 51 cases of leucopenia, 158 cases of thrombocytopenia, 93 cases of decreased hemoglobin, 205 cases of elevated alanine aminotransferase, 198 cases of elevated aspartate aminotransferase and 143 cases of elevated creatinine in 1 279 patients with brucellosis. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate increased in 587 cases and C-reactive protein increased in 563 cases. After treatment with two or three antibiotics for at least 12 weeks, the total effective rate was 98.3% (1 257/1 279). Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of brucellosis are varied. Clinicians should highly suspect brucellosis if the patient has a history of epidemiological exposure to brucellosis and has symptoms such as fever, sweating, joint muscle pain and fatigue. Early diagnosis and standardized treatment should be carried out to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and affecting the quality of life. The occupational population should strengthen physical examination and education for brucellosis.