Analysis of Brucellosis Cases Between 2010 and 2020 in Guangdong Province, China

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with more than half a million people diagnosed worldwide. In China, 99% of cases were historically reported in the northern part of the country, and few were diagnosed in Guangdong province. Recently, Guangzhou has become as an emerging focus for brucellosis, with personal awareness of brucellosis and inexperience of clinicians hindering timely clinical diagnosis. To improve clinical management of this disease, we retrospectively analyzed 60 brucellosis cases from 2010 to 2020 in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital. There were no manifestation differences between southern and northern patients. However, 68.3% of patients lacked awareness of risk factors for Brucella infection. Therefore, to prevent its spread and avoid delays in diagnosis, implemented infected-animal control programs and enhanced education on brucellosis are necessary.