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KMID : 0984720060380060334
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Infection and Chemotherapy
2006 Volume.38 No. 6 p.334 ~ p.343
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Clinical Characteristics of Human Brucellosis in South Korea
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Kim Yeon-Sook
Choi Young-Sil
Kwon Ki-Tae
Lee Hyuck
Lee Sun-Hee
Son Jun-Seong
Kim Shin-Woo
Chang Hyun-Ha
Jung Sook-In
Ko Kwan-Soo
Park Mi-Yeoun
Peck Kyong-Ran
Song Jae-Hoon
Oh Won-Sup
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Abstract
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Background: Since the first Korean case of human brucellosis was reported in 2002, the incidence of human brucellosis has been rapidly increasing. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of human brucellosis occurring in South Korea.
Materials & Methods: Demographic features, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic outcomes of cases confirmed as brucellosis according to WHO diagnostic criteria were evaluated. Species of Brucella isolates were identified with 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. Serologic diagnosis was performed with standard tube agglutination test (STA).
Results: A total of 34 cases were enrolled from 2003 to 2006 in six hospitals. Eight cases were confirmed with the isolation of Brucella from blood and 26 cases were confirmed with titer of antibodies < or =1:160 by STA. Male (31) was predominant and most of the patients were cattle farmers. The most common transmission route was direct contact with infected or their cattle byproducts. Fever was the most prominent symptom and fatigue followed. Gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems were commonly complicated. Patients were treated with doxycycline and rifampin or aminoglycosides for more than 6 weeks. All patients responded well to the therapeutic regimens, but one patient relapsed 10 months after treatment.
Conclusion: Brucellosis occurring in Korea has been caused by B. abortus, whose preferred natural host animals are cattle. Korean patients were infected through direct contact with bovine brucellosis. Clinical manifestations of brucellosis were similar to those occurring worldwide. Therapeutic outcomes were good among patients with brucellosis in Korea. In order to prevent human brucellosis, measures to eradicate bovine brucellosis should precede.
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KEYWORD
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Brucellosis, Brucella abortus, Standard tube agglutination test
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