Clinicoepidemiological findings of childhood brucellosis in a tertiary care center in Central Anatolia: with the emphasis of hematological findings

Abstract

Human brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and a public health problem in many countries of the Mediterranean and Middle East where bovine brucellosis has not been controlled. It can affect people at any age including children. Approximately 20-30% of cases are diagnosed during childhood. [1][2][3] Humans can acquire infections via consumption of infected unpasteurized milk and milk products or direct contact with infected animals, secretions and carcasses. Brucellosis is a multisystemic disease which can be presented with various non-specific clinical signs. The most common clinical manifestations include arthralgia, fever, sweating, weight loss, fatigue, and anorexia. 1 Some of these