ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025
Brucellosis relapse: Rate, patient characteristics, and clinical outcomes in an endemic region.
Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- A genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen identified host genes essential for Brucella invasion and intracellular survival.Emerging microbes & infections · 2026Article
- Determinants of relapse and delayed convalescence in patients with Brucellosis: a one-year prospective follow-up.Irish journal of medical science · 2026Article
- Pediatric brucellosis: predictors of hospitalization, complications, and relapse in a nationwide multicenter cohort.European journal of pediatrics · 2026Article
- An ultrasensitive double-antigen sandwich time-resolved fluorescent immunochromatographic assay for quantification of Brucella antibodies.Mikrochimica acta · 2026Article
- A rare complication in humans of a rare disease in Germany: a case of bilateral tubo-ovarian abscesses caused by Brucella melitensis.Infection · 2026Article
- Case Report: Neurological brucellosis with behavioral abnormalities: a case of Brucella encephalitis with mild cognitive impairment.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Desipramine treatment disrupts phagocytic and intracellular survival ofFrontiers in veterinary science · 2026Article
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7 authors.
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Abstract
introductionBrucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease worldwide, with significant heterogeneity in the literature regarding the risk factors and rate of relapse, we reviewed cases of confirmed brucellosis in Saudi Arabia, looking at the rate of relapse, characteristics of relapse cases, and compared it to the existing literature.
methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on confirmed cases of brucellosis. Cases with suspected relapse, as noted in medical charts, were identified. A detailed review of clinical and laboratory findings, along with associated outcomes, was performed to confirm instances of brucellosis relapse. Descriptive analysis was then undertaken to characterize confirmed relapse cases.
resultsOf the 1,049 confirmed brucellosis cases over eight years, 73 cases were initially suspected of potential relapse. After excluding misdiagnosis and repeat exposures cases, there were 37 cases confirmed as relapses, resulting in a relapse rate of 3.53%. When considering only cases where patients adhered to the full treatment regimen, 10 patients were considered as "true relapse" cases, reducing the relapse rate to 0.95%. Among the 10 true relapse cases, four initially presented with bacteremia, and all ten patients had elevated Brucella titers. None had focal infection initially. All true relapse patients received Doxycycline as the core agent, with rifampin or streptomycin as a second agent. Upon relapse, four patients developed spondylitis, and three had bacteremia. Eight patients received an extended duration and/or triple therapy, and only one patient relapsed for a third time with an infected cardiac device. No mortalities were recorded within 90 days of completing relapse treatment.
conclusionThe relapse rate observed in this study is lower than previously reported in the literature. Further research on brucellosis relapse should prioritize investigating treatment adherence and establishing a standardized definition, which might help address the current discrepancies in reported data.
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