Abstract

The present study was designed to study the prevalence of rheumatological manifestations in patients with Brucella infection. One hundred seven patients of suspected human brucellosis attending Al-Naumaniya hospital were included in this study. The majority of patients were farmers (90.6%); the prevalence of brucellar arthritis was 42.99%. Diagnosis of brucellosis was based on clinical manifestations together with the positive serological test which included Rose Bengal agglutination test (RBAT), tube agglutination test (TAT). Tests were confirmed with blood culture. Blood cultures were positive for B. melitensis biotype 1 and 2 in 14 cases and for B. abortus biotype 1 in 3 cases. Auxiliary tests were performed to confirm brucellosis and brucellar arthritis. These tests included antistreptolysin-O agglutination (ASOT), Widal test, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor (RF) and acute phase protein (CRP). ASOT was found to be positive in 21 patients (19.62%) and Widal test in 17 patients (15.8%) with brucellosis. RF, ANA, and CRP were positive in 23.9%, 2.17%, and 43.47%, respectively in patients with brucellar arthritis.

Key words: Brucella, Arthritis, Rose Bengaltest, Serological tests