Brucellosis in Patients with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal zoonotic viral disease caused by infection with a tick-borne virus of the genus Nairovirus. In this study, we investigated the incidence of brucellosis in patients diagnosed with CCHF. Methods Overall, 169 patients hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of CCHF were included in 2011 in Tokat/Turkey. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies and/or PCR results were used in the laboratory diagnosis of CCHF, while plate and standard tube agglutination (STA) tests were used to diagnose brucellosis. Results Overall, 120 patients (79%) with positive PCR tests were diagnosed with CCHF. Five (4.16%) were also diagnosed with brucellosis based on the positive plate and STA test results. Four patients (2.36%) had negative CCHF PCR and positive STA test results. Conclusion Brucellosis and CCHF can mimic each other and that all patients with CCHF or brucellosis should be screened for both conditions.