Acute Brucella infection associated with splenic infarction: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Brucella infection often involves multiple organ systems with non-specific clinical manifestations, and cutaneous involvement is uncommon. Splenic infarction and leukocytoclastic vasculitis also rarely occur together in the course of brucellosis infection. We report the case of a 47-year-old man with Brucella combined with splenic infarction. The patient presented with fever; large liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; muscle and joint pain; positive laboratory tests for blood cultures (Brucella abortus); and imaging suggestive of splenic infarction. After treatment with streptomycin, doxycycline, and rifampicin, the patient’s clinical symptoms and splenic damage improved. Detailed history taking, correct interpretation of laboratory results, and knowledge of rare complications of human brucellosis facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Brucellosis infection complicated with myelitis: a case report and literature review

“…Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Approximately 500,000 new cases of human brucellosis are reported worldwide each year, posing a substantial threat to the social economy and the physical and mental health of humans ( Shi et al., 2023 ). It is caused by aerobic, dynamic, gram-negative facultative intracellular bacteria of the Brucella genus, with an incubation period typically ranging from 2 to 4 weeks ( Shakir, 2021 ).…”

“…Humans become infected through the consumption of raw dairy products and undercooked meat or by directly contacting animals, their placentas, or aborted fetuses that are infected ( D'Anastasio et al., 2011 ). This disease exhibits prominent occupational characteristics, with rural workers and butchers being particularly susceptible ( ( Shi et al., 2023 ). Neurobrucellosis (NB) refers to the involvement of the nervous system and occurs in 3-7% of all patients with brucellosis ( Haji-Abdolbagi et al., 2008 ).…”