•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Objective: Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and brucellosis are two zoonoses that co-circulate in overlapping endemic areas and share similar clinical features. They may occur concurrently in the same patient. Methods: We aimed to investigate the occurrence of concurrent CCHF and brucellosis in pediatric patients from our endemic region. Results: We reviewed 31 patients younger than 18 years who, between January 2018 and December 2024, underwent concurrent testing with CCHF PCR and the Brucella serum agglutination test (SAT), along with their presenting complaints. Rural residence was present in 45.2% of cases, and a history of tick bite prior to presentation in 38.7%. Ticks had attached to various anatomical sites. Both rural residence and the history of tick bite were significantly associated with CCHF positivity. Fever was the most frequent presenting symptom. Overall, 41.9% tested positive for CCHF and 3.2% for brucellosis. No CCHF–brucellosis coinfection was identified in pediatric patients. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is one of the first to evaluate pediatric patients from an endemic region who underwent simultaneous testing for both CCHF and brucellosis. No laboratory-confirmed coinfections were identified in this limited cohort; therefore, the absence of coinfection should be interpreted cautiously rather than as evidence of true absence at the population level. The findings suggest that concurrent infection in children may be less common than in adults, likely due to lower occupational and environmental exposure to Brucella. Incorporating simultaneous testing for both infections into the diagnostic approach for pediatric patients with compatible clinical features may help clarify their epidemiologic relationship and prevent diagnostic delays. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to determine the true frequency and clinical relevance of coinfection in this population.

Download

Share

COinS