Brucellosis Relapse: A Retrospective Study of Risk Factors among Saudi Patients

Background and study aim: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections worldwide.Brucella organisms are able to survive and even multiply within mononuclear cells explaining the tendency of the disease to have a prolonged clinical course and relapse.The incidence of relapse in Brucellosis remains high; ranging from 5-30% of patients.The aim of this study is to evaluate possible risk factors of Brucellosis relapse. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of 127 patients was conducted to evaluate risk factors of Brucellosis relapse.The diagnosis of relapse was based on recurrence of clinical picture within 3-6 months from treatment, increase agglutinating antibody titers and PCR.Different demographic, clinical, laboratory and serological parameters were studied based on the data gathered from the patients` electronic files.Results: Out of 127 patients, 21 (16.5%)patients were diagnosed as relapsers.No significant differences were found between relapsed and non-relapsed patients regarding age, sex, residence, clinical features, complications, lymphocytic count and serological titers.As regard treatment, regimens included Streptomycin and Doxycycline had a significant decrease in relapse occurrence. Conclusion:Anti-microbial regimen included Streptomycin and Doxycycline is the only preventive factor for Brucellosis relapse.