Nine cases of brucellosis and literature review

Objective To analyze and review the epidemiology,clinical features,treatment and prognosis of brucellosis.Methods This was a retrospective review of in-patients treated for brucellosis during 2003 and 2008 in our hospital and the associated literature.Results A total of 9 cases were included. All the patients had history of epidemic exposure. The common clinical presentations included fever,hyperhidrosis and weakness. Meningitis,arthralgia,urinary tract infection,orchitis or migratory myalgia was identified in one patient each. Five patients had positive blood culture. All 9 cases were positive for serum antibodies. All cases were cured after active medical management.Conclusions The clinical manifestation of brucellosis is various. Epidemiological feature combined with long-term fever of unknown origin may suggest the possibility of brucellosis. Blood culture and serum antibody assay are effective diagnostic tools. Doxycycline combined with streptomycin,gentamicin,or rifampin is effective treatment.