Brucellosis, a rare cause of muscle and joint pain following Covid-19 treatment in endemic regions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to show the presence of muscle-joint pain and malaise among the symptoms persisting following Covid-19 disease in regions where brucellosis is endemic. Methods: Fifteen PCR-positive patients diagnosed with Covid-19 after 1 April, 2020, in our hospital and with persisting muscle-joint pain, and testing positive with Brucella agglutination and/or Coombs agglutination 1/160 or above were included in the study. Results: Six (40%) of the patients in the study were male and nine (60%) were female. Males were between the ages of 31-69 and had a median value of 52, while females were between the ages of 38-57 and had a median value of 43. Muscle-joint pain, malaise, fatigue, fever, and sweating were frequently seen symptoms. Time to onset of symptoms in the post-Covid period ranged between seven and 220 days. Conclusion:We think that brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 in endemic regions ad presenting to hospital with symptoms of muscle-joint pain and malaise after treatment.