Clinical, biochemical and hematological features of an outbreak of human brucellosis in Benghazi

ABSTRACT

During the outbreak of human brucellosis in Benghazi, Libya, in June-September 1987, haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed in 18 Libyan patients [age 1660 years; sex 10 male, 8 female]. Since leukopenia with relative lymphocytosis was present in 5/18 [28%] patients only, it was not considered as a general rule for diagnosis of acute brucellosis. The ESR was raised in 14/18 [78%] patients which is generally a feature of acute brucellosis. Although biochemical analyses showed in some cases moderate elevation of serum ALT [8/18], AST [7/18], ALP [2/18] and LDH [5/18], serum ALT, AST and LDH were markedly elevated in only 5/18 [28%], 6/18 [33%] and 3/16 [18%] patients respectively. The implications of these findings and methods of choice for quick confirmed diagnosis of acute brucellosis as a possible cause for pyrexia of unknown origin are discussed