Childhood brucellosis: A deceptive infectious disease

Abstract

Human brucellosis is a multisystem disease that may notoriously mimic many other illnesses leading to misdiagnosis and increased morbidity. Six pediatric cases of brucellosis who had no epidemiologic evidence of the infection escaped early or correct recognition. The diagnosis of brucellosis was later made on the basis of significant brucella serology and positive blood or bone marrow culture. In endemic areas, a high index of suspicion should prevail in the evaluation of patients with vague or unexplained symptoms.

Neurobrucellosis: report of a rare disease in 20 Iranian patients referred to a tertiary hospital

“…However, in endemic areas such as Hamedan province, the disease should be ruled out in all patients who develop unexplained neurological symptoms. The clinical signs and symptoms of brucellosis are misleading and many cases are diagnosed as pyrexia of unknown origin [21,22]. Physicians and health workers in endemic areas need to be alert to the possibility of the disease and have access to suitable laboratory facilities for diagnosis.…”

Brucellosis in Saudi Arabia: Past, Present and Future

“…The diverse and sometimes deceptive manifestations of localized, sub-acute or chronic infection may lead to missing or delaying the diagnosis if the attending clinician has a low index of suspicion. 20 Morbidity depends largely upon the speed of diagnosis and the initiation of specific antimicrobial therapy. Fever with drenching sweats, lassitude, arthralgia, body aches, anorexia and weight loss are common symptoms in acute brucellosis.…”

“…Rare cases of ileitis, colitis and spontaneous peritonitis have been reported. 20,31 Hematologic complications of mild anemia and leukopenia have been frequently associated with acute brucellosis, 25 but pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia are less frequently seen. 26 Cardiovascular localization of Brucella infection can result in endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis.…”

“…[28][29][30]32 Psychiatric disturbances seem to be frequent, but they are not clinically recognized. 20 Epididymoorchitis is the most common genitourinary complication. 34 A variety of pulmonary, ophthalmic and cutaneous manifestations of brucellosis have been reported.…”

“…34 A variety of pulmonary, ophthalmic and cutaneous manifestations of brucellosis have been reported. 20,21,[34][35][36] The definitive diagnosis Of brucellosis is made when the organisms are isolated from blood, bone marrow, or other body fluids or tissues. A presumptive diagnosis can be made by demonstrating significant Brucella titers.…”