Brucellosis among patients with fever of unknown origin in Jimma University Hospital, south western Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Bovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of major economic and public health importance in most countries of the world. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in patients with fever of unknown origin. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using Rose Bengal plate test and Complement fixation test from January to April 2004. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on factors that are believed to influence the spread of Brucella infection from 56 subjects selected. RESULTS: From 56 subjects, 2 were positive giving a prevalence of 3.6%in cases with fever of unknown origin in the study area. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that human Brucellosis could be the cause of fever of unknown origin in the study area. Thus clinicians should consider it as one of the differential diagnoses for fever of unknown origin.