Prospectively were studied clinical characteristics, diagnostic tools and outcome in 33 patients with hip arthritis during brucellosis that were treated at the clinic for infectious diseases in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Thirty-six hip involvements were noted. The patient's age was mean (SD) 23.7 (19.9) years, 18 were male. Twenty-one of them acquired the disease through direct contact with infected animals. In five patients, hip arthritis was the unique manifestation of the disease. Concomitant affection of other osteoarticular localisation was found in 18 patients. The diagnosis of hip arthritis was achieved using radionuclide bone scan and ultrasound examination in 17 and 16 cases, respectively. During the follow-up period, six relapses, three therapeutic failures and one sequela were noted. Brucellar aetiology should be considered in all patients from endemic areas, who have manifest symptoms of hip joint involvement.

In endemic regions childhood brucellosis represents a significant part of human cases. Wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, frequent affection of various organ systems and possibility of relapses show that brucellosis could be a serious disease in this age group. The presence of fever, joint pain, sweating, and affection of various systems in children from endemic regions should alert pediatricians for the possibility of brucellosis.