Brucellosis is considered a known widespread zoonotic disease and is endemic in Mediterranean region,
like Iran. This study reviewed the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and therapeutic regimen in
childhood brucellosis in Iran. In this retrospective study, we reviewed hospital-records of 34 consecutive
children with a confirmed diagnosis of brucellosis among a total number of 10,864 patients admitted to
Children’s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran, between 2002 and 2010. Among the patients diagnosed with
brucellosis, 22 (65%) were admitted during spring and summer. Clinical findings of these patients at admission
were arthritis, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, maculopapular skin rashes, and fever.
Anaemia (53%) and leukopenia (33%) were the most common findings in the children. Only one patient
had presented with leukocytosis. Four children (12%) were thrombocytopenic, and none of patients had
pancytopenia. Blood cultures were positive in 5 patients (23%). Only one patient underwent bone-marrow
aspiration and had positive culture for
Brucella
spp. Positive titres were found in 33 cases (97%) in Wright
test, 23 cases (96%) in Coombs test, and 16 patients (72.7%) in 2ME (2-Mercaptoethanol) test. In one case,
Wright and Coombs test titres were below 1:80 while
Brucella spp. were isolated from blood at the same
time. It is concluded, prolonged fever with joint involvement and organomegaly may increase possibility
of infection with
Brucella spp. Appropriate treatment regimen by more tolerable oral drugs, with a duration
of at least 8 weeks, is recommended.
