Brucella arthritis among Iraqi patients.

The clinical features of acute Brucella arthritis were reported in a prospective study of 58 patients (29 male, 29 female). Polyarthritis occurred in 33, was migratory in ten, additive in 23 and symmetrical in ten. Monoarthritis of knee or hip joints occurred in ten patients, whilst the spine alone was involved in 15. Hip and spinal involvement was more destructive than peripheral joint involvement. Hotness, redness and joint effusions were not prominent features. Tissue-typing did not show any association with Brucella arthritis. Treatment with various antimicrobials was followed by recovery, but the relapse rate was lowest with combined tetracycline and streptomycin. Brucella arthritis is frequently seen in Iraq, and dairy products prepared locally from unpasteurized milk should be controlled by local health authorities.