Epidemiological and clinical aspects of human brucellosis in Central Greece

The confirmed cases of human brucellosis in the area of Larissa in Central Greece from 2003 to 2005 were analyzed to assess the features of the affected population and to determine the factors influencing the acquisition of infection. Data of patients infected by Brucella spp. concerning age, gender, occupation, date of diagnosis and the observed symptoms were collected from regional hospitals, health centres and private practitioners. The incidence of human brucellosis in the area was 32.49 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Males, due to their professions, were affected more often by brucellosis than females. The majority of the cases were attributed to direct contact with animals or their products. Only in 8.49% of the cases was the infection attributed to the consumption of dairy products. The urban population is not at potential risk for acquiring brucellosis because all commercialized dairy products in Greece are produced from pasteurized milk. The occurrence of human brucellosis shows seasonality, with the majority of the cases diagnosed from December to May. Direct contact with animals, the season of the year and gender were the risk factors influencing the acquisition of infection. Fever, arthralgia, profuse sweating and anorexia were the symptoms most often observed.