Medical expert of the article
New publications
Treatment of brucellosis in children
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
In the acute period of brucellosis, antibiotics are used, usually levomycetin, tetracycline, erythromycin, rifampicin and other drugs, at an age-related dose for 7-10 days. The course of treatment is often repeated after 2 weeks, less often, and the third course. 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 with vaccine therapy. The killed brucellosis vaccine is administered intramuscularly, starting at a dose of 100 000-500 000 microbial bodies (at an individual dose for each patient) at intervals of 2-5 days. The course of vaccine therapy consists of 8-10 injections. The duration of the intervals between injections and subsequent doses is 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, more often prednisolone, at a rate of 1-1.5 mg / kg per day; course duration 3-4 weeks.
In chronic form, hormone therapy can be repeated 2-3 times with a break of 3-4 weeks.
With the aim of increasing the effectiveness of treatment of patients with chronic brucellosis, reducing the frequency and duration of exacerbation of the disease, more rapid reduction of inflammation and endogenous intoxication in complex therapy, it is advisable to include an interferon-cyclophon inductor in the basic scheme, as well as an isotonic solution of a 1.5% reamberin solution, which is an antihypoxant / antioxidant.
Widely used and symptomatic treatment (amidopirin, analgin, deligil, reopyrin, ibuprofen, etc.), physiotherapy (ozokerite, UHF, light therapy, massage, gymnastics, mud therapy, etc.). In chronic brucellosis, sanatorium treatment (radon or sulfuric baths) is indicated.