A sporadic outbreak of human brucellosis in Korea

J Korean Med Sci. 2005 Dec;20(6):941-6. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.6.941.

Abstract

Eleven cases of human brucellosis occurred among livestock workers and a veterinarian who lived and worked in a rural area around Jeongeup City, Jeollabuk-Do, Korea from February 2003 to August 2003. Eight of the patients had taken care of Korean native cattle that were infected with bovine brucellosis and had already been slaughtered. Two of the patients had taken care of dairy cattle, and one case was a veterinarian who acquired the disease through an accidental contact with infected cattle while assisting in calf delivery. Eleven cases were identified by serologic work ups and four cases were identified via positive blood cultures. This study shows that the Republic of Korea is no longer free of human brucellosis, Brucella abortus biotype 1. We reviewed the patients' characteristics and serologic data during the one-year follow up period, and we also discuss on the efficacy and side effects of the rifampin and doxycyline regimen used for the treatment of human brucellosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Base Sequence
  • Brucella abortus / genetics
  • Brucella abortus / immunology
  • Brucella abortus / isolation & purification
  • Brucellosis / drug therapy
  • Brucellosis / epidemiology*
  • Brucellosis / microbiology
  • Brucellosis / transmission
  • Brucellosis, Bovine / transmission
  • Cattle
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Doxycycline / adverse effects
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Korea / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / drug therapy
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / immunology
  • Occupational Diseases / microbiology
  • Rifampin / adverse effects
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Veterinarians

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Doxycycline
  • Rifampin