Abstract: Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of brucellosis for clinical evidence in diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Methods Epidemiological and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 49 cases of brucellosis treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between January 2013 and December 2019. Results In the 49 cases,30 were males and 19 females. The patients aged from 10 to 74 years. The major occupation was associated with farmer and herdsman. Twenty-nine patients were definitely exposed to the sheep or cattle. The patient’s current residence is mainly in the district of Bengbu City. Confirmed cases of brucellosis were generally reported from 2013 through 2019,and the case number was the most in March and July,with 8 and 9 cases,respectively. Thirty-six were in acute stage,8 in subacute,and 5 in chronic stage out of the 49 cases. Fever,chilly symptom,sore muscles,hyperhidrosis and joint pain occurred in 45,25,19,16 and 11 cases,respectively. Involvement of the osteoarticular system was found in 16 patients. Blood study indicated normal or decreased white blood cell(WBC)count,drop of absolute eosinophil(EOS) level and moderately elevated C-reactive protein(CRP) in most cases. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)≥40 mm / h was seen in 13 of 47 cases,and procalcitonin (PCT) level ranging 0. 1 ~ <0. 5 ng / mL was found in 30 out of 41 cases. Thirty-two patients had elevated D-Dimer level out of 35 cases. Fifty-nine strains of Brucella ovis were isolated from 135 aliquots of blood, bone marrow and effusions of joint cavity samples. Chest CT examination demonstrated bronchitis or pneumonia in 5,small nodule shadow in the upper lobe of left and / or right lung in 11,minor pleural effusion or thickened pleura in 4 in the 49 patients. Two patients underwent head CT examination,in whom one was identified massive cerebral infarction in the right temporal-parietal occipital lobe. Imaging examination was performed on the bone & joint in 11 patients,which primarily exhibited straightened physiological curvature of lumbar vertebrae,reduced signal at the intervertebral discs and corresponding spinal stenosis. Of the 49 patients,48 were recovered,and one was not improved,yet discharged from hospital on his own initiative. The average length of hospital stay was 13. 18 days. Conclusion Brucellosis can be diverse in clinical manifestations, and people in non-endemic areas need to guard themselves against the high-risk behaviors of brucellosis infection. Clinicians
should improve their understanding of this entity,and provide antibacterial treatment for the victims in standardized profile
in order to reduce the complications or prevent chronic infection.

Key words: Brucellosis, Brucella ovis, Clinical analysis