[The clinical features of brucellosis in an endemic area (author's transl)]

Brucellosis remains a problem in many rural areas of Greece. A case report is given of 50 patients with brucellosis treated at the regional hospital of an endemic area. Various forms of fever were observed; a raised temperature was universal. Sweating and joint pains were prominent general symptoms. The most common local findings were arthritis, orcheoepididymitis and osteomyelitis. More rarely, rashes, bronchitis, difficulty in micturition and paraesthesiae were found. Routine laboratory investigations were of no diagnostic help, but the serum agglutination reaction according to Wright is diagnostic of brucellosis at high titres. An equally successful therapeutic result was achieved with streptomycin in conjunction with tetracyclines or with the combined preparation of sulphamethoxiazole and trimethoprim.