Pediatric brucellosis: predictors of hospitalization, complications, and relapse in a nationwide multicenter cohort

Kuruc, Aylin; AYKAÇ, KÜBRA; Cakici, Ozlem; İNGENÇ, İREM; Yagiz Ozdemir, Nil; Cabbarova, Gulnar; Ege Akdi, Oznur; Seyrek, Bera; Metin Akcan, Ozge; Genceli, Mustafa; Celik, Umit; Essizoglu, Perihan; Ozdem, Suna; Ozgokce Ozmen, Berfin; Gunes, Emine; Alkan, Gulsum; Ozyalvac, Busra; Kilic, ÖMER; Bostan, Aysenur; Yesil, Edanur; Dikme, Guldane; Cakıl Guzin, Ayse; Boncuoglu, Elif; Tuter Oz, Sadiye; Mercan, Halise; Hacisoy, Aysel; Kayki Aksoy, Nurdan; GAYRETLİ AYDIN, ZEYNEP; Yasar, Belma; Karaoglu Asrak, Hatice; Acebek, Orhan; Gudeloglu Cetiz, Elif; Erdeniz, Emine; Turan, Hacer; Ustundag, Gulnihan; Sever, Gozde; Akkoc, Gulsen; Yilmaz, Seyhan; Canizli Erdemli, Pinar; ÇELEBİ, SOLMAZ; Ciftci, Esra; BAYTURAN, SEMRA; Tavli Genc, Aleyna; Avcu, Gulhadiye; Ekemen, Coskun; Kara Aksay, Ahu; Agrali Eroz, Nesli; SOMER, AYPER; Dede, Elif; Oncel, Selim; Sinav Utku, Hatice; BELET, NURŞEN; SEYHANLI, DAMLA; Akoglu, Handan; Toy Usta, Gulizar; Dalgıc, Nazan; Sahin İzci, Eda; Ekemen Keles, Yildiz; Cakmak Taskin, Esra; ÜMİT, ZÜHAL; Koc, Pinar; Sahin, Aslihan; AVCI YÖN, HANİFE; Cengiz, Ali; ÖZSÜREKCİ, YASEMİN

doi:10.1007/s00431-026-07334-2

Pediatric brucellosis: predictors of hospitalization, complications, and relapse in a nationwide multicenter cohort

Kuruc A. I., AYKAÇ K., Cakici O., İNGENÇ İ. N., Yagiz Ozdemir N. N., Cabbarova G., ...Daha Fazla

European Journal of Pediatrics, cilt.185, sa.9, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
Cilt numarası: 185 Sayı: 9
Basım Tarihi: 2026
Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00431-026-07334-2
Dergi Adı: European Journal of Pediatrics
Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
Anahtar Kelimeler: Brucellaspp, Brucellosis, Children, Complications, Epidemiology, Relapse
Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Brucellosis is a common zoonosis worldwide, yet large-scale pediatric data are scarce. This nationwide multicenter study from Türkiye, a highly endemic country, aimed to characterize pediatric brucellosis and identify independent risk factors for complications, relapse, and hospitalization. A retrospective cohort was conducted across 32 hospitals between January 2019 and June 2024. Children aged 0–18 years with confirmed brucellosis were included. Data were analyzed by multiple backward logistic regressions, with Firth penalization for the complication and relapse models. A total of 1052 children were included (median age 12 years; 69.9% male). Complications occurred in 87 patients (8.3%), most frequently osteoarticular (spondylitis, sacroiliitis, and osteomyelitis), whereas neurobrucellosis was rare (0.9%); relapse occurred in 34 patients (3.2%). Complications were independently associated with headache (adjusted OR 3.566, 95% CI 1.861–6.637), arthralgia/arthritis, culture positivity, night sweating, and myalgia. Relapse was independently associated with female sex (adjusted OR 3.675, 95% CI 1.617–8.568), whereas treatment compliance was protective (adjusted OR 0.254, 95% CI 0.092–0.857). Hospitalization (34.1%) was independently associated with headache, diarrhea, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, fever, elevated CRP, and lower hemoglobin, whereas diagnosis through household contact screening was protective. Conclusion: Pediatric brucellosis in Türkiye generally follows a favorable course, with low complication and relapse rates. Readily identifiable musculoskeletal and constitutional symptoms at presentation may help predict complicated disease, while treatment adherence remains the key determinant of relapse. Early detection through household contact screening may reduce disease burden in endemic regions. (Table presented.)