Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic survey in 686 cases with brucellosis

ABSTRACT

The current study was conducted to examine the epidemiology, clinical and hematological characteristics, complications and treatment outcome of brucellosis in Yazd [Iran].A total of 686 cases [390 males] were recorded in which the diagnosis was confirmed by a positive culture or detection of antibodies with STA test. About 40% of these patients came from families of farmers or shepherds who owned a few domestic animals or small herds of goats or sheepsand 68.7% had consumed unpasteurized dairy products especially cheese. In 27% of the cases another family member developed symptomatic infection. Most of the patients presented with musculoskeletal symptoms [86.5%], headache and vertigo [67.3%]. Lymphadenitis was recorded in 27%, splenomegaly was recorded in 20% and hepatomegaly in 5% of the cases.Normal CBC [77%] and anemia [12%] were the most common hematological manifestations, followed by lymphocytosis [12%].None of the patients who received a combination of two antibiotics for at least 8 weeks had relapse