Short report: Brucellosis in Northern Australia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to define the clinical presentation of brucellosis in northern Australia and to assess the long-term impact of brucellosis on individual lives. A retrospective review was conducted to assess 32 patients with brucellosis caused by Brucella suis in Townsville, Australia during 1996-2009. All patients were Caucasian males with a mean age of 35 years. The greatest risk factor for brucellosis was feral pig hunting (94%, n = 30). There was one laboratory-acquired case. The most frequent clinical features included fever (94%, n = 30), fatigue (78%, n = 25) and arthralgia (78%, n = 25). The complication rate was 25% (n = 8). A delay in diagnosis of more than 14 days significantly increased the risk of the patient developing complications (95% confidence interval = 3.20-198.96, P = 0.002). The long-term impact of brucellosis was significant; 64% (16) of the patients reporting recurrent symptoms. This study highlights the need for further research on brucellosis caused by B. suis. Copyright © 2010 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.