Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Human Brucellosis in Eastern Anatolia

BACKGROUND: We investigated the seroprevalence of human brucellosis and risk factors in a village in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, where a brucellosis outbreak among cattle had recently occurred. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 501 inhabitants enrolled were screened with the Rose Bengal Test and were asked to fill out a questionnaire to determine the signs and symptoms of brucellosis and the risk factors. Patients' laboratory findings and clinical responses were also evaluated. RESULTS: The Rose Bengal Test was positive in 44 persons. In comparison of age groups, fever (20.2%), arthralgia (19.2%) and weight loss (8.4%) were frequently seen in children (p<0.05). Hepatomegaly (17.9%) was also prevalent in the age group of 0 to 14 years (p<0.05). The consumption of dairy products, a family history of brucellosis, and raising livestock were significantly related to seropositivity (p<0.05). Rifampicin plus doxycyline was the most common regimen administered in these cases (54.5%) and also had the highest relapse rate (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Brucellosis remains an important public-health problem in the rural areas of Turkey. Appropriate public health measures and education must be pursued to eradicate human brucellosis.