Demographic characteristics, laboratory features and complications in 346 cases of brucellosis: A retrospective study from Qatar

• Published in: IJID regions 2024-03, Vol.10, p.18-23
• Main Authors: Varikkodan, Irfan, Naushad, Vamanjore A., Purayil, Nishan K., Zahid, Muhammad, Sirajudeen, Jaseem, Ambra, Naseem, Mohammed, Areej Marwan, Trivedi, Jignesh, Kandalam, Shibu P., Joseph, Prakash, Kartha, Anand B., Elzouki, Abdelnaser
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brucella; Brucellosis; focal brucellosis; melitensis
• ISSN: 2772-7076; 2772-7076
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2023.11.007

•Brucellosis is a zoonotic illness that causes significant morbidity in adults.•Osteoarticular involvement is the most common type of focal brucellosis.•Preventive strategies include health education and animal vaccination. To study the epidemiology and laboratory findings and outcomes of human brucellosis in the state of Qatar. A retrospective study involving adult patients with a definitive diagnosis of brucellosis was conducted. Of the 346 patients 299 were males. The mean age was 39.62 years. 120 patients had history of drinking raw milk and 116 had a history of contact with animals. Fever (89.9%) and myalgia (56.6%) were the most common presenting symptoms observed. Raised C-reactive protein level was the most frequent laboratory finding noted. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were raised to three times the normal in 39.6% and 37% of patients, respectively. Blood culture was positive in 72.8% whereas Brucella immunoglobulin G antibody and immunoglobulin M antibody titer was positive in 72.5% and 73.1% patients, respectively. Approximately 21.4% had focal involvement and osteoarticular (11.6%) involvement was the most frequently observed focal form. Doxycycline with rifampicin or gentamicin was the common regimen received. Relapse was seen in 7.2% patients. Human brucellosis continues to be a serious health issue in Qatar predominantly affecting healthy young adult men resulting in significant morbidity. Preventive measures and community awareness particularly among high-risk groups will help in decreasing the prevalence of the disease and its aftereffects.