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

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023 Oct 4:13:1234447. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1234447. eCollection 2023.

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.

Keywords: Brucella abortus; acute pancreatitis; brucellosis; splenic infarction; vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brucella abortus
  • Brucellosis* / complications
  • Brucellosis* / diagnosis
  • Brucellosis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Splenic Infarction* / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenic Infarction* / etiology
  • Streptomycin

Substances

  • Rifampin
  • Streptomycin

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81801972 to YW), Science and the Technology Research Project of Jilin Provincial Department of Education (JKH20211179KJ to YW), and the Jilin Provincial Nature Science Foundation of Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology (20210101341JC to YW).