title: Brucella arthritis.
abstract: Nine cases of peripheral arthritis were identified among 40 patients with brucellosis, in the endemic area of Southwestern Greece, during a 4-year prospective study. In 5 patients the joint was aspirated and the examination of the synovial fluid revealed white cell counts ranging from 4,460/mm3 to 8,800/mm3, with lymphocytic predominance. Synovial fluid cultures were positive for Brucella in 3 out of the 5 patients. These findings suggest that brucella arthritis is mainly a true septic arthritis, with characteristic joint fluid features, which distinguish it from other septic arthritides, a fact that is extremely helpful in its early diagnosis and management in an endemic area.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000378:metabolism*; D002002:Brucella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology