A Case Report of Brucellosis and the Differential Diagnosis of Lymphoma and Tuberculosis

Abstract

In this paper we present a male patient from Xinjiang with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and significant weight loss for more than one month. He was admitted to hospital with negative Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and decreased leukocyte count. Ultrasound revealed splenomegaly and abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed multiple hypodense splenic nodules. The patient was suspected of lymphoma or tuberculosis. Pathological biopsy suggested brucellosis infection following splenectomy. Anti-Brucella treatment is effective and his temperature gradually returned to normal. During the follow up, the patient's RBT result turned to positive and he was instructed to continue the anti-Brucella drug regimen. His temperature, weight, white blood cell count, other laboratory examinations and imaging findings all returned to normal during the six months follow-up after the treatment.