Ocular Involvement in Patients with Brucellosis: A Single-Center Prospective Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, type and treatment outcomes of ocular involvement in patients with brucellosis. Methods This prospective, single-center study enrolled patients admitted to the infectious disease outpatient clinic with diagnosed brucellosis between July 15, 2022 and July 15, 2023. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and a standard Brucella tube agglutination test (≥1/160) or a positive blood culture. Ophthalmologic examinations were performed at baseline and in the first month of treatment. Third and sixth month follow-up examinations were also performed for patients with ocular findings. Results Ocular involvement occurred in 60 (24.8%) of 242 patients. Conjunctivitis was the most common ocular involvement and was observed in 39 patients (16.1%). Uveitis was the second most common ocular involvement in 14 patients (5.8%). Scleritis was the least common ocular involvement and was observed in only one patient. Patients with ocular involvement were older (p = 0.027) and had higher rates of weight loss and spondylodiscitis (p = 0.044 and 0.001, respectively). Among laboratory parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in patients with ocular involvement (p = 0.001 and 0.036, respectively). There were no significant differences in other demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics between patients with and without ocular involvement. In 56 (93.3%) patients, the ocular findings improved during the follow-up examination. Conclusion Brucellosis, a systemic infection, can manifest with ocular involvement. Early detection and treatment through ophthalmological examination are crucial in managing brucellosis.