Brucellosis arthritis: infection or inflammation of joint?

Abstract

Background: The description of Brucellosis arthritis feature with other findings is the main goal of this study. Methods and Materials: This is a 2 years descriptive and prospective study, which includes 40 patients who diagnosed as brucellosis and join involvement. Results: In this study, arthritis involvements were as follow: Sacroilitis (70%), Peripheral arthritis (15%), Sacroilitis and arthritis (12/5%) and Spondylitis (2/5%). The other finding of this study include: Range of age between 15-30 (80%), male to female ratio (5:1), rural to urban ratio (2: 1), fever more than 38 degree of Centigrade (60%), Normal CBC (90%), relative lymphocytosis (70%) , ESR more than 25 mm/ 1st hour (100%) , Wright titer 1:320 , and 2ME titer 1:160. With beginning of standard anti brucellosis regimen and supportive care, there was a 100% cure rate and no any sequel of arthritis. There was no relapse in next few months follow up of them. Conclusions: This study confirms previous findings, which indicate, Brucellosis arthritis have a good prognosis and outcome, without any sequel. So it seems that Brucellosis arthritis are rather inflammations than infection of joint (Septic arthritis).