Diagnosis performance of brucellosis in China, 2013–2018

ObjectiveTo understand the diagnosis performance of brucellosis in China from 2013 to 2018, and provide reference for the improvement of the diagnosis quality of brucellosis.

MethodsThe incidence data of brucellosis in China from 2013 to 2018 were collected from the infectious disease information management system of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention（CDC）. The diagnosis performance of brucellosis was described by analyzing the intervals between onset and diagnosis of brucellosis and the laboratory confirmation rates in different medical institutions and in northern and southern China.

ResultsFrom 2013 to 2018, a total of 282 264 brucellosis cases were reported nationwide. Most cases were reported in northern China, accounting for 95.09% of the total. The cases reported by hospitals, CDCs and primary medical units accounted for 50.33%, 39.11% and 7.73% respectively. The proportion of the cases reported by hospitals increased gradually from 35.94% in 2013 to 62.48% in 2018. The median onset-diagnosis interval was 14 d, and 6.95% of the reported cases were diagnosed beyond acute phase (3 months). The median onset-diagnosis interval was shorter in southern China (11 d) than in northern China (14 d), and in hospitals and primary medical units (9 d, 11 d) than in CDCs and other medical units (20 d, 25 d). The overall laboratory confirmation rate was 91.61% (92.00% in northern China and 84.37% in southern China). In northern China, the laboratory confirmation rate was only 88.76% in hospitals and 87.51% in primary medical units. The overall rate of non-local hospital visits was 47.99% (46.95% in northern China and 68.07% in southern China).

ConclusionIn northern China, the brucellosis epidemic was serious from 2013 to 2018, and the laboratory diagnostic capacity was still inadequate, resulting in some delays in diagnosis. It is suggested to strengthen the building of laboratory diagnostic capacity of the medical institutions in northern China and improve the accessibility of diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis.