Abstract:

Purpose: Brucellosis is a systemic disease that can affect many organs and tissues. Musculoskeletal system is one of the most commonly affected systems. Disease may present itself with sacroiliitis, peripheral arthritis, spondylitis, paraspinal abscess, bursitis or osteomyelitis. The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency, types and clinical features of osteoarticular involvement among cases with brucellosis in Konya city and to establish the differences between patients with and without osteoarticular involvement. Material and Methods: Three hundred and sixteen patients with Brucellosis who presented between June 2003 and June 2014 were included in the study. Brucellosis was diagnosed by positive Brucella Standard Agglutination Test (1/160 titer) and/or growth of Brucella spp. in blood culture addition to the presence of clinical signs and findings. Diagnosis of osteoarticular system complications was established by physical examination and radiological findings obtained by diagnostic imaging tools. Magnetic resonance images of the thoracic, lumbar or sacral vertebrae were acquired in patients with back pain, low back pain and sacro-iliac joint pain. Results: Osteoarticular involvement was noted in 129 patients (40.8%) (females: 52% and males: 48%). The most common route of transmission was employment in farming and/or consumption of un-pasteurized milk or dairy products, especially fresh cheese, in 97 (75%) cases. Mean age was 4618 years. Sacroiliitis was the most frequent osteoarticular involvement (n: 68, 52.7%), 70.5% of which were bilateral. Sacroiliitis was followed by spondylodiscitis in 35 (38.7%), peripheral arthritis in 20 (15.5%), bursitis in 1 (0.8%) cases. Patients with osteoarticular involvement received medical treatment for at least three months. Discussion: Ratio and anatomical region of osteoarticular involvement in brucellosis shows variability among areas. In the present study, we demonstrated that sacroiliitis was the most common form in Konya city. This disease should be included in differential diagnosis in patients with symptoms of sacroiliitis, spondylodiscitis or those with articular pain.

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