Human brucellosis in Turkey: a review of the literature between 1990 and 2009

Authors: ŞEBNEM ÇALIK, AYŞE DENİZ GÖKENGİN

Abstract: Brucellosis is a systemic infection, which may involve any organ or system of the body. The aim of this study was a review of the literature related to human brucellosis in Turkey. Materials and methods: In order to find the published reports on this subject, 3 national databases (TÜBİTAK-ULAKBİM Turkish Medical Literature database, http://www.turkishmedline.com, http://medline.pleksus.com.tr) and 2 international databases [Index Medicus and Science Citation Index (SCI)-expanded] were searched. In addition to the databases, abstracts of congresses held by the Turkish Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Association and the Antibiotic and Chemotherapy Association were searched for reports about brucellosis. Results: The most frequent type of involvement was osteoarticular, followed by hematological abnormalities and nervous system involvement. Conclusion: Brucellosis may present with a broad spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms. Primary health care physicians should be aware of the different clinical presentations of brucellosis.

Keywords: Brucellosis, Brucella infection, neurobrucellosis, involvement, Turkey

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