Acute brucellosis in Johannesburg.
Seven cases of acute brucellosis seen in Johannesburg during a 9-month period are discussed. Five of these patients probably contracted their infection at the by-products plant of the new abattoir. A survey of culture isolates and serological studies shows a low incidence of acute brucellosis in Johannesburg. The persistently positive serological tests 18 - 24 months after successful therapy emphasize that caution is necessary when interpreting the significance of positive findings. Successful therapy with tetracyline is largely dependent on dosage and length of treatment.
D000003:Abattoirs; D000208:Acute Disease; D000372:Agglutination Tests; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013019:South Africa