Mastitis as a rare inflammatory manifestation of brucellosis in human; a case report

Abstract

Brucellosis leads to some systemic symptoms in humans but breasts are rarely affected, while it has frequently in animals. Brucellosis is endemic in Iran. A 30-year-old lady, living in rural area in West Azerbaijan, with fever, trembling and inflammation on the one side of left breast referred to infectious clinic of Taleghani hospital. The patient declared that had fever, weakness, arthritis and loss of appetite 1 week prior to the visit. Ultrasound was requested and showed mastitis. Antibiotics in beta-lactam groups had no effect on the patient. Serology tests, Wright, Coombs-Wright and 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) was positive with the titer of 1/640, 1/1280 and 1/640, respectively. Treatment method was a combination of doxycycline, gentamicin and rifampin. The patient was under observation for 2 months until her ultrasound results changed to normal. It is concluded that the probability of Brucella mastitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in endemic areas. Other differential diagnoses can be inflammatory carcinoma and simple mastitis.