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Retrospective clinical and laboratory evaluation of children with brucellosis
Author(s) -
Okur Mesut,
Erbey Fatih,
Bektaş Mehmet Selçuk,
kaya Avni,
Doğan Murat,
Acar Mehmet Nuri,
Uzun Hakan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-200x.2011.03558.x
Subject(s) - medicine , myalgia , brucellosis , pancytopenia , leukopenia , anemia , lethargy , pediatrics , abdominal pain , poor appetite , weakness , immunology , surgery , bone marrow , appetite , chemotherapy
Background: Acute brucellosis is a zoonotic disease seen in childhood, with non‐specific complaints and clinical findings that can affect the locomotor, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Particularly in endemic regions, it occurs as a result of consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products. In this study, clinical and laboratory findings of children with acute brucellosis are presented. Methods: Data for 147 patients, aged 2–16 years, were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The most frequent complaints and clinical findings were abdominal pain and fever. Other complaints and clinical findings included arthralgia, myalgia, loss of appetite, weakness, sweating, fatigue, headache, arthritis, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Anemia was the most frequent hematological abnormality detected; other abnormalities included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and pancytopenia. Conclusion: Childhood brucellosis can cause non‐specific complaints and particularly anemia and leukopenia as hematological abnormalities. It is easily treated, however, with appropriate antibiotics.