Childhood Brucellosis in Eastern India.

Objective: To investigate the presence of childhood brucellosis presenting as PUO (pyrexia of unknown origin) cases in Eastern zone of India.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from PUO patients aged ≤18 y. The main diagnostic tools were STAT, RBPT, ELISA- IgM, IgG and PCR. Although mainly PUO cases were selected for the study, other associated clinical manifestations were also noted.

Results: The findings revealed significantly higher percentage of infection in female children (14.3%) than in male children (10.9%). The positive results by different diagnostic tools, STAT, RBPT, ELISA- IgM, ELISA-IgG and brucella genus specific PCR were 10.6%, 7.2%, 7.2%, 0.85% and 1.3% respectively. Main associated clinical symptoms were joint pain, low backache, fatigue and night sweat.

Conclusions: This hospital based study reflects a significant number of childhood brucellosis cases in Eastern zone of India, and thus emphasizes the need for further monitoring of such subjects.