Retrospective analysis of 286 Brucellosis cases in the southeast of Turkey

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory findings and therapeutic features of the patients inhabiting in Diyarbakır, Mardin and Batman province, in Southeastern Anatolia of Turkey. Materials and methods: In this study, 286 patients with brucellosis, followed in departments of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology between June 2007 and July 2009, were evaluated retrospectively. Results: One hundred fifty six (55%) of the patients were female and 130 (45%) were male. Mean age was 32.8 + 15.3 (range15-78) years. The patients were categorized as acute (75%), subacute (23%) and chronic (2%) brucellosis. Major transmission route was the consumption of unpasteurized fresh cheese. The transport of animals in the region is not controlled. Malaise, fever, myalgia arthralgia and sweating were the most frequently observed symptoms. The most common signs were fever 90.8%, arthritis 54.1%, splenomegaly 18.3% and hepatomegaly 11%. The most frequent laboratory finding was a high C-reactive protein level (60%). Diagnosis was made based on the clinical features and positive Rose-Bengal test combination with an initial Brucella antibody titer greater than or equal to 1/160. The most frequently preferred antimicrobial regimen was rifampin and doxycycline combination. Conclusions: Brucellosis is still an important public health problem in Turkey. The disease has an important morbidity and mortality. Brucellosis should be kept in mind in endemic regions of our country with the symptoms of fever, leukopenia and osteoarticular symptoms.