Brucellar Arthritis Involving Left Sternoclavicular Joint: A Case Report

Abstract

Brucellosis is a widely spread zoonosis and an important global public health problem, especially in the Mediterranean region. Brucellosis is a systemic infectious disease, and it is transmitted to humans by consumption of raw milk or its by-products as well as by contact with products of infected animals. Clinical findings differ depending on the Brucella species, the host, and the duration of illness. The diagnosis of brucellosis is made by positive culture. Since the organism is cultured on blood, the examination is made primarily on the basis of suspicion as well as the high levels of humoral antibody titer. The disease may cause various complications. The most common complications of brucellosis are osteoarticular complications, including arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. In this report, brucellar arthritis involving the sternoclavicular joint (STCJ) is presented. In this report we present a rare example of an osteoarticular complication caused by brucellosis.Brucellosis is a widely spread zoonosis and an important global public health problem, especially in the Mediterranean region. Brucellosis is a systemic infectious disease, and it is transmitted to humans by consumption of raw milk or its by-products as well as by contact with products of infected animals. Clinical findings differ depending on the Brucella species, the host, and the duration of illness. The diagnosis of brucellosis is made by positive culture. Since the organism is cultured on blood, the examination is made primarily on the basis of suspicion as well as the high levels of humoral antibody titer. The disease may cause various complications. The most common complications of brucellosis are osteoarticular complications, including arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. In this report, brucellar arthritis involving the sternoclavicular joint (STCJ) is presented. In this report we present a rare example of an osteoarticular complication caused by brucellosis.