Clinical Medicine
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 34 children with brucellosis
Cheng Yao, Gao Qingfeng, Zhou Xun, Zhang Yan, Liu Jingyao, Liu Changmin, He Jingjing
Published 2024-06-20
Cite as Chin J Endemiol, 2024, 43(6): 487-491. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn231583-20230704-00161
Abstract
ObjectiveTo learn about the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with brucellosis, in order to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis in children.
MethodsClinical data of children with brucellosis (aged ≤14 years) who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases at Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected, and their epidemiological characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, treatment and outcome were summarized and analyzed.
ResultsA total of 34 children with brucellosis were included, including 25 males (73.53%) and 9 females (26.47%), with a gender ratio of 2.78 ∶ 1.00. The median age was 8 years and 1 month, mainly in the age group of 6 to 14 years (19 cases, 55.88%). Epidemiological investigation showed that most of the affected children were rural residents (25 cases, 73.53%), with more contact with cattle/sheep (26 cases, 76.47%). The onset time was mainly concentrated in summer (15 cases, 44.12%) and spring (13 cases, 38.24%). The clinical symptoms were mainly fever (97.06%, 33/34) and arthralgia (64.71%, 22/34). In the laboratory tests, 25 cases (73.53%) had positive blood cultures, and the white blood cell count (WBC) of 30 cases (88.24%) was (4 - 10) × 109/L. Among the abnormalities of liver function, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased in 19 cases (55.88%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased in 14 cases (41.18%) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) increased in 6 cases (17.65%). Among the myocardial enzymatic abnormalities, α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) increased in 29 cases (85.29%), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased in 27 cases (79.41%), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) increased in 8 cases (23.53%). After treatment, 25 children with positive blood culture turned negative.
ConclusionsChildren with brucellosis are mainly male, older and rural residents. The clinical manifestations are mainly fever and arthralgia. Doctors in relevant departments should conduct detailed epidemiological investigations and laboratory tests for such children in clinical work, in order to achieve early detection, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric brucellosis.
Key words:
Child; Brucellosis; Epidemiological characteristics; Clinical characteristics
Contributor Information
Cheng Yao
Clinical Laboratory, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin 150088, China
Gao Qingfeng
Clinical Laboratory, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin 150088, China
Zhou Xun
Clinical Laboratory, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin 150088, China
Zhang Yan
Clinical Laboratory, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin 150088, China
Liu Jingyao
Clinical Laboratory, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin 150088, China
Liu Changmin
Infectious Diseases Department, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin 150088, China
He Jingjing
Clinical Laboratory, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin 150088, China