Brucellosis in the Gezira Area, Central Sudan

Twenty-nine patients presenting with symptoms and signs suggestive of brucellosis in the Gezira area, Central Sudan, were studied. The majority of the patients (76%) were found to have a combined infection of both Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis with titres of 1/160 and above. The social habit of eating raw meat, e.g. raw liver or other offal with spices (Marrara or umfitfit) is found to be an important epidemiological factor in contracting the disease. Raw milk consumption, since it is not common, does not seem to have a major role in human infection. Clinically, there are no severe complications in this series. This might be a reflection of the small size of the group studied. The study showed good tolerance and excellent response to the combined therapy of streptomycin and doxycycline.