Clinical characteristics of 21 brucellosis patients with thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Objective \nTo investigate the clinical features of brucellosis with thrombocytopenia. \n \n \nMethods \nThe clinical data of patients with brucellosis complicated with thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 × 109/L) diagnosed by the Department of Infection Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2012 to December 2018 were collected retrospectively, and the demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, treatment and prognosis of the patients were analyzed. \n \n \nResults \nAll the 21 patients were male and their age was (47.3 ± 12.2) years old, including 3 Uygur, 14 Han and 4 Kazak. Their occupation was dominated by farmers and herdsmen, a total of 16 patients; 11 patients had a history of close contact with cattle and sheep, 5 patients were engaged in slaughter and wool processing industries, and 5 patients were infected for unknown reason. All the 21 patients had fever, hyperhidrosis in 17 patients, fatigue in 16 patients, joint and muscle pain in 7 patients, and decreased body mass in 5 patients. Sheep Brucella blood culture were positive in 12 patients; serum tube agglutination test was positive in 16 patients, titer was 1∶200-1∶800; white blood cell count was normal [(4-10) × 109/L] in 3 patients, white blood cell count reduced in 18 patients. Sixteen patients were treated by orally taking rifampin capsules combined with doxycycline tablets, 3 patients were treated by orally taking baifule tablets combined with doxycycline tablets, and 2 patients were treated by orally taking baifule tablets combined with rifampin capsules; three patients with platelet count < 10 × 109/L were treated with glucocorticoid, gamma globulin and platelet transfusion. After 6 months of follow-up after treatment, 19 patients returned to normal platelet levels, and 2 patients had slightly lower platelet levels. \n \n \nConclusions \nThe main clinical features of brucellosis with thrombocytopenia are fever, hyperhidrosis, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, decreased body mass, and reduced white blood cell count. Their prognosis is better after treatment. \n \n \nKey words: \nBrucellosis;\xa0Thrombocytopenia;\xa0Retrospective studies