Özet:

Objectives: Although the definitive diagnosis of brucellosis requires isolation of the Brucella species, diagnosis is usually made based on both clinical and laboratory findings. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum required parameters that could be valuable in the diagnosis of brucellosis. Material and Method: A retrospective study was performed to compare the clinical and laboratory findings in 50 patients who were confirmed to have brucellosis by cultures with 50 patients with fever. Features independently predictive of brucellosis were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were estimated. Results: Significant clinical features of brucellosis were hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, arthritis, RF positivity, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and elevated ALT levels. Five of these features were found to be predictive for the diagnosis of brucellosis; splenomegaly, arthritis, RF positivity, thrombocytopenia and elevated ALT levels. Conclusion: For the diagnosis of brucellosis, serum aglutination test does not have high specificity and sensitivity and waiting the results of cultures will delay the proper treatment. Predictive value of these results are worth taking into consideration in endemic regions.

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