Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different drug combinations
for treatment of brucellosis in children. Sixty children (mean age 9.2 ± 3.1 years,
range 10 months to 15 years) were treated with four different drug combinations. The
diagnosis of brucellosis was established by positive serum agglutination titer, and/or
the isolation of Brucella species from blood cultures. The most frequent findings were fever and arthritis
in 12 (20% and 13 (21.6%) patients respectively. The children under 8 years old comprised
Group 1 and 2, and older than 8 years comprised Group 3 and 4 according to treatment
regimens. Nine patients (Group 1) were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
(TMP-SMZ) for 45 days plus ceftriaxone for 5 days and, rest nine patients (Group 2)
were managed with TMP-SMZ for 45 days plus gentamicin for 5 days. Twenty-one patients
(Group 3) were managed with doxycycline for 45 days and ceftriaxone for 5 days and,
other 21 (Group 4) patients were managed with doxycycline for 45 days and gentamicin
for 5 days. All patients recovered. Relapse and improvement rates were similar for
all groups (P > 0.05). Each regimen was effective in the treatment of childhood brucellosis. Using
cheaper drugs such as doxycycline and gentamicin in children 8 years of age and older,
and TMP-SMZ and gentamicin in children 7 years of age or younger for the treatment
of brucellosis in children is a practical and useful approach in our region and in
the developing countries.
Keywords
Brucellosis - childhood - treatment
