Human brucellosis in pregnancy - an overview

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Human brucellosis in pregnancy presents unique challenges, with outcomes worse than in healthy pregnancies but less severe than in animals.
• Seroprevalence ranges from 1.5-12.2%, and incidence is 0.42-3.3 per 1000 deliveries in endemic areas.
• Pregnant women constitute 1.5-16.9% of brucellosis cases in various regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes associated with human brucellosis during pregnancy.
• To highlight the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.
• To recommend preventive strategies in endemic regions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on human brucellosis in pregnancy.
• Analysis of reported obstetric and neonatal complications.
• Evaluation of treatment regimens and preventive measures.

Main Results:

• Common adverse outcomes include abortions (2.5-54.5%), intrauterine fetal death (0-20.6%), and preterm deliveries (1.2-28.6%).
• Infant complications include congenital brucellosis, low birth weight, and developmental delays.
• Early treatment with rifampicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole significantly reduces adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Brucellosis in pregnancy poses substantial risks to both mother and fetus, necessitating prompt medical intervention.
• A 6-week course of rifampicin combined with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the recommended treatment.
• Screening pregnant women and educating women of childbearing age are vital preventive measures in endemic areas.