[Miliary and reticulo-nodular pulmonary brucellosis].

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by Brucella bacteria, typically presenting with fever and musculoskeletal symptoms.
• While brucellosis can affect multiple organ systems, pulmonary involvement, particularly pneumonia, is uncommon.
• The genus Brucella comprises Gram-negative bacilli responsible for this zoonotic disease.

Observation:

• A rare case of miliary and reticulo-nodular pneumonia due to Brucella infection is presented.
• The patient exhibited positive blood and sputum cultures for Brucella, alongside positive serological tests.
• This represents the first reported instance of miliary pneumonia with sputum-positive Brucella in Israel.

Findings:

• Confirmation of Brucella infection in a patient with miliary and reticulo-nodular pneumonia.
• Identification of Brucella in both blood and sputum samples, indicating systemic and pulmonary dissemination.
• Positive serological results supporting the diagnosis of brucellosis.

Implications:

• Highlights the potential for Brucella to cause severe pulmonary disease, even in regions where it's not endemic.
• Emphasizes the importance of considering brucellosis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pneumonia, especially with relevant exposure history.
• Underscores the diagnostic value of sputum cultures and serology in identifying pulmonary brucellosis.