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Treatment of brucellosis in children
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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In the acute period of brucellosis, antibiotics are used, usually chloramphenicol, tetracycline, erythromycin, rifampicin and other drugs, in an age-appropriate dose for 7-10 days. The course of treatment is often repeated after 2 weeks, less often a third course is carried out. Antibiotics have a pronounced antimicrobial effect, but do not prevent exacerbations, relapses and the formation of a chronic process. Treatment of brucellosis in children with antibiotics is supplemented by vaccine therapy. Killed brucellosis vaccine is administered intramuscularly, starting with a dose of 100,000-500,000 microbial bodies (in an individual dose for each patient) with an interval of 2-5 days. The course of vaccine therapy consists of 8-10 injections. The duration of the intervals between injections and subsequent doses are determined by the severity of the post-vaccination reaction. The vaccine can also be administered subcutaneously and intravenously.
In severe acute brucellosis, as well as in chronic brucellosis, glucocorticoids are used, most often prednisolone, at a rate of 1-1.5 mg/kg per day; the course duration is 3-4 weeks.
In the chronic form, courses of hormonal therapy can be repeated 2-3 times with a break of 3-4 weeks.
In order to increase the effectiveness of treatment of patients with chronic brucellosis, reduce the frequency and duration of exacerbations of the disease, and more quickly relieve inflammation and endogenous intoxication, it is advisable to include in the complex therapy an interferon inducer - cycloferon according to the basic scheme, as well as an isotonic solution of 1.5% reamberin solution, which is an antihypoxant/antioxidant.
Symptomatic treatment (amidopyrine, analgin, delagyl, reopyrin, ibuprofen, etc.), physiotherapy (ozokerite, UHF, light therapy, massage, gymnastics, mud therapy, etc.) are also widely used. In case of chronic brucellosis, spa treatment (radon or sulfuric acid baths) is indicated.