Brucellosis in Pediatric Populations: An 11-Year Cohort Study

Noam Savion, Noa Guzner, Saar Hashavya, Shimon Reif, Lea Ohana Sarna Cahan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is an endemic infection affecting the Mediterranean Basin, Arabian Peninsula, India, Mexico, and South America. Data on brucellosis infections in children are limited. Objectives: To review and characterize the clinical presentation of pediatric patients diagnosed with brucellosis in a tertiary medical center. Methods: Retrospective data analysis was conducted on all pediatric patients from January 2010 to December 2020 admitted to the pediatric department with a diagnosis of brucellosis based on a positive serology test or growth of Brucella bacteria in blood culture. Results: The study comprised 53 children aged 0-18 years. The mean age at presentation was 11.01 ± 4.91 years; 39 male (73.6%). Pre-infection exposure to unpasteurized milk or unvaccinated livestock was reported in 37 (69.8%). Fever was present in 64.6%, followed by arthralgia (49%), loss of appetite (42.3%), and weight loss (24.6%). Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 52.8% and included abdominal pain (34.6%), nausea (28.3%), vomiting (24.5%), and diarrhea (2.6%). Eight patients experienced pancytopenia (15.1%). The median length of intravenous antibiotic treatment was 7 days (range 3-14 days) and for oral antibiotic treatment 6 weeks (range 2-24 weeks). Most patients were initially treated with intravenous gentamycin (90.5%) and long-term oral antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline. Two (3.7%) required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. No mortality was documented, and all cases of relapses were successfully treated. Conclusions: Pediatric brucellosis is an acute febrile disease often associated with rheumatologic complaints. Patients 8-18 years of age also presented with headache, weight loss, and night sweats.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)542-546
Number of pages5
JournalIsrael Medical Association Journal
Volume25
Issue number8
StatePublished - Aug 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Israel Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • brucellosis infection
  • fever of unknown origin
  • pediatric
  • rheumatologic complaints
  • zoonotic disease

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