Use of antibiotics in the treatment of human brucellosis

Abstract Over a 3-year period (from 1987 through 1989), the medical charts of 346 patients (between 14 and 89 years of age with male to female ratio of 1.6:1) with brucellosis were reviewed to determine the efficacy of various treatment regimens. Of 92 positive blood cultures, all the isolates were sensitive to tetracycline, streptomycin, and rifampicin; however, 17 isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole. Various combinations of tetracycline, streptomycin, co-trimoxazole, and rifampicin were used for a prolonged period (3 months). Drugs were equally available to all patients. The best results were obtained with tetracycline plus streptomycin. Co-trimoxazole, when used alone, was found to be the least effective, with more failures and relapses.