Clinical profile of Mediterranean fever – Study from an Indian tertiary care center

Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease which is also known as Mediterranean fever. It is acquired from the handling of infected animals or consuming contaminated milk or milk products. The incubation period varies from 1-3 weeks to several months before clinical disease appearance and it shows multiorgan involvement. This study focuses on the varied presentation of this disease and laboratory findings. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study, where the past 15 years data of cases diagnosed with brucellosis was studied in a tertiary care center in South India. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, duration of stay in the hospital, hematological and biochemistry profiles were collected and analyzed in SPSS. Results: More number cases were found among the male gender (70%), mostly in the 20- 40 years age group (40%). 95% of cases reported fever, 40% with arthralgia (29% generalized in nature), and 32% with a headache. A Positive Pearson correlation between CRP and NLR, and CRP and PLR were found, which was statistically significant. Mean laboratory values were documented. 37% of patients were found to have hepatosplenomegaly on ultrasound Conclusion: Most of the patients were admitted as cases with pyrexia of unknown origin. Our study focused on the different clinical presentations and laboratory findings of brucellosis and will help give a better understanding and outline during brucellosis case diagnosis and management in a cost-efficient manner.