Related Experiment Videos
A fatal case of systemic brucellosis
S Gupta1, R Varadarajulu, S R Mehta
1Department of Medicine, Armed-Forces Medical College, Pune.
Summary
A 65-year-old man with brucellosis developed severe aortic valve vegetation and spondylitis. Despite planned surgery and antibiotics, the patient succumbed to complications including renal failure.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that can affect multiple organ systems.
- Cardiac involvement, particularly endocarditis, is a serious complication of brucellosis.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old male presented with constitutional symptoms, dyspnea, and backache.
- Physical examination revealed signs of significant aortic and mitral regurgitation, hepatosplenomegaly, and spinal tenderness.
- Transthoracic echocardiography identified a large aortic valve vegetation.
Findings:
- Positive antibody titers confirmed brucellosis.
- Radiographic evidence suggested concurrent brucella spondylitis.
- The patient had severe aortic valve endocarditis with significant regurgitation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe cardiac and spinal complications in brucellosis.
- Prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary management, including surgical intervention, are crucial.
- Despite aggressive treatment, complications like renal failure can lead to poor outcomes.