Osteoarticular brucellosis

Human brucellosis is an anthropozoonosis caused by coccobacilli of the Brucella genus. In Tunisia, human brucellosis remains endemic. It is a notifiable disease. It constitutes a significant public health problem and also has a significant economic impact. This retrospective descriptive study was carried out to determine the epidemio-clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of osteoarticular brucellosis. We identified 30 cases of osteoarticular brucellosis. Rural origin was reported by 20 patients. The average age of the patients was 52 years. The sex ratio was 1.72. Patients generally presented two main modes of contamination: occupational exposure (22.1%) or infection due to consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (93%). There were 22 cases of spondylodiscitis (lumbar in half the cases), 5 cases of saco-iliitis and 2 cases of peripheral arthritis. Blood cultures were positive for Brucella in 5 cases. Wright serology was positive in 22 cases. Treatment was based on a prolonged course of antibiotics.