The nature of human brucellosis in Kuwait: study of 379 cases.
Three hundred seventy-nine Kuwaiti patients with brucellosis were admitted to Adan General Hospital, Kuwait, during the period 1984-1985. Of these 231 were males and 148 were females. Diagnosis was based on symptoms and signs compatible with the disease and on the detection of significantly elevated antibody titer and/or positive blood culture. The primary means of exposure were the consumption of raw milk and contact with goats, sheep, or camels. Patients most frequently presented with fever (91%), chills (40%), sweats (39%), gastrointestinal symptoms (30%), headache (23%), respiratory symptoms (23%), and musculoskeletal symptoms (22%). The major signs were osteoarticular involvement (37%), hepatosplenomegaly (27%), and lymphadenopathy (9%). Different regimens of treatment were used, but the highest rate of cure was achieved with triple therapy--tetracycline, streptomycin, and rifampin.
Mousa
A R
AR
Department of Medicine, Al Adan Hospital, Safat, Kuwait.
Elhag
K M
KM
Khogali
M
M
Marafie
A A
AA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002002:Brucella / Q000276:immunology; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial