Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 213 cases of occupational brucellosis in Hulun Buir, Inner Mongolia / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics,clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations of occupational brucellosis (OB) in Hulun Buir City,Inner Mongolia,from 2008 to 2016,in order to provide experience for prevention and treatment of OB.Methods The data of human OB cases from 2008 to 2016 in Hulun Buir were extracted from the Chinese Information System for Diseases Control and Prevention (CISDCP).The available information included population distribution,geographical distribution,time distribution,occupational distribution,clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations of the cases.Results Of the 213 cases,191 were males and 22 females,aged from 23 to 62 years old,149 cases in their 25-44 years of ages among all age-gender groups,and 20.19％ of the cases (43) were reported in Ergun.Though occurred yearly and monthly,the disease reached the peaks in 2013 (41 cases),and in January (70 cases).A total of 212 cases had directly contacted with animals,only one was medical staff,116 were veterinary.The dominant manifestations were arthralgia and myalgia in 144 cases,sweats in 131,fatigue in 123,fever in 94 cases,splenomegaly in 17 cases,hepatomegaly in 4 cases,and hepatosplenomegaly in 2 cases.The positive rate of the Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) was 100％,standard tube agglutination test (SAT) title ≥ 1 ∶ 100 (++) in 195,and SAT title ≥ 1 ∶ 50 (++) in 18 cases.Abnormal laboratory findings included elevated C-reactive protein (CRP),aspartate transaminase (AST),and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in 34,42 and 84 cases.Conclusions Occupational brucellosis is male-dominated,and concentrated in veterinary services.For exposed population,relevant departments should strengthen occupational health education,periodic occupational health examination.