Brucellosis in Kosovo and Clinical Features of Brucellosis at University clinical center of Kosovo

Abstract

Objective: Brucellosis became a remarkable disease in Kosovo. But there is not a comprehensive epidemiological study about epidemiology and clinical course of this disease from Kosovo. The aim of our study is to present demographic and clinical data of patients with brucellosis at University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Methods:A retrospective study was performed for the patients with brucellosis treated in our clinic during years [2011][2012]. The data about demography, history of the disease, clinical presentations, serological test, serum biochemistry and treatment were collected from hospital medical records. The diagnosis of brucellosis based on clinical and laboratory findings.Results: This descriptive study included 47 patients, who 33 of them (70.2%) were males. The mean age was 37.9 ± 19.3 years. The route of transmission of the disease was known in 28 (59.5%) of them. Direct contact with livestock in 22 (46.8%) and ingestion of dairy products in six cases (12.7%) were reported as the transmission route. The majority of patients (27 patients, 57.4%) were from rural area. The main presenting symptoms were fatigue, fever and arthralgia. Osteoarticular manifestations were the common forms of localized disease. Regarding to the therapy, 45 (95.7%) of patients were treated with streptomycin and doxycycline for the first three weeks. Conclusion:Human brucellosis is not a common in Kosovo but there is a potential risk. Osteoarticular symptoms were the most common presentation reasons. The most effective and preferred treatment regimen was Streptomycin plus Doxycycline for the first three weeks, and Doxycycline plus Rifampicin thereafter.