Brucellosis can be an insidious disease that is difficult to diagnose. Ariza et al identified risk factors that were independently associated with relapse in patients with brucellosis using logistic regression analysis.
Risk Factor
Odds Ratio
95% CI
less effective antibiotic therapy
8.3
4.6-15.1
positive blood cultures during initial disease
2.7
1.2-6.2
<= 10 day duration of disease before treatment
1.9
1.1-3.6
male sex
1.8
1.02-3.8
platelet count <= 150,000 per µL
1.7
1.1-2.8
where:
• relapse = reappearance of signs or symptoms characteristic of the disease or new positive blood cultures during the 12 months after therapy.
Interpretation:
• The presence of one or more risk factors increases the risk for relapse in a patient with brucellosis.
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