Pattern of childhood brucellosis in Najran, south Saudi Arabia in 2013-2017

Abstract

BackgroundWith more than 500,000 new cases annually, human brucellosis is the commonest zoonotic disease worldwide. In some endemic countries, its prevalence is more than 10 per 100,000 population.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of the problem and the clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment given and complications seen in children with brucellosis in Najran City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis is a case-series study by analysis of data of children known or diagnosed to have brucellosis for the last 4 years in Najran City. Data was obtained by reviewing the hospital records of the Maternity and Children Hospital and Najran Armed Forces Hospital in Najran during the period from 2013 to 2017. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16.0. Since it was the first report of brucellosis on the study population, we used descriptive statistics (frequency, proportion, mean, and standard deviation) for presenting the findings.ResultsWe studied 57 diagnosed cases of child brucellosis throughout the past 4 years in Najran, south Saudi Arabia with an average number of about 12 cases per year. Of the cases, 15.8% reported a history of ingestion of raw milk and dairy product and only 1.8% of them reported a history of animal contact while 82.4% confirmed unknown mode of transmission. Fever was the only finding in 36.8%, fever and arthralgia 21.1%, and fever and myalgia 19.3%. Two thirds of the cases were diagnosed by standard agglutination test (SAT). Hepatosplenomegaly was found in 10.5%. Rifampicin was the antibiotic of choice and 70.2% of cases have been cured but 3.5% relapsed and 1.8% died from complications.ConclusionsResults suggest brucellosis be considered in every child living in an endemic area, showing symptoms of fever and having a history of ingestion of raw milk and dairy product and/or animal contact.Prevention should rely on health education of the public about different issues of the disease including boiling raw milk.

Brucellosis in Saudi Children: Presentation, Complications, and Treatment Outcome

“…In the United States, a nonendemic region, a study conducted in Dallas, Texas, found a relapse rate of 25% [ 27 ]. In Saudi Arabia, a study conducted in the southwestern city of Najran reported a relapse rate of 3.5%, lower than the present study [ 28 ]. In Riyadh, a study retrospectively analyzed 115 pediatric brucellosis cases that occurred from 1984 to 1995, reported a relapse rate of 9%, higher than the present study [ 29 ].…”

“…In the Najran study, rifampicin, prescribed as a monotherapy, was the treatment of choice. The relapse rate was 3.5% [ 28 ]. The Israeli study, however, stated that monotherapy for childhood brucellosis was associated with higher relapse rates.…”

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Childhood Brucellosis in High-Risk Area of Western China

“…brucellosis was more frequent in preschool-aged children (1-6 years old), which was similar to the study of Ghadi Mohammed Al Hashan et al (21). Children of this age group have low immunity and frequent exposure to dairy products, which might be the important reason for high incidence.…”

Childhood Brucellosis: A Single-Center Experience from the Central Mediterranean Region of Turkey

“…9 Although brucellosis in children is seen in both sexes, in studies conducted in Turkey, East India, and Saudi Arabia, male predominance has been reported at the rate of 51.7 to 69.6% in pediatric brucellosis cases. 10 11 12 13 The mean age of Saudi children was 7.7 years, and the mean age range was reported to be between 5 and 11 years in a childhood brucellosis case series published in Turkey. 12 13 14 Similarly, in the current study, brucellosis was seen more in male children at the rate of 53.1%, and the mean age was 10.7 ± 4.5 years.…”

“…10 11 12 13 The mean age of Saudi children was 7.7 years, and the mean age range was reported to be between 5 and 11 years in a childhood brucellosis case series published in Turkey. 12 13 14 Similarly, in the current study, brucellosis was seen more in male children at the rate of 53.1%, and the mean age was 10.7 ± 4.5 years.…”