OBJECTIVE: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that affects people all over the globe. Although this disease has been known since ancient times, there is no rapid diagnostic method to predict the complications of this disease. For the early diagnosis of complications in brucellosis patients, it is critical to find novel biomarkers. This study aimed at investigating the association between platelet-related parameters [platelet count, platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV)] and focal involvement in brucellosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients diagnosed with brucellosis were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had focal involvement. The platelet-related parameters and inflammatory markers were statistically analyzed to predict the different types of brucellosis involvement.

RESULTS: A total of 60 patients with brucellosis were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 54±9.8 years, 68.3% (n=41) were male, and 29 (48.3%) had focal involvement. PLR level was significantly higher in the focal involvement group (p=0.007). However, there was no statistical difference in platelet count or MPV levels (p>0.05). Monocyte, ALT, AST, and total bilirubin levels were lower in the focal involvement group (p=0.033, p=0.006, p=0.004, p=0.038).

CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of this study, platelet count or MPV levels could not determine the type of involvement, while PLR could predict the focal involvement.