Pulmonary involvement in childhood brucellosis: a case report

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease with global public health implications.
• While a multisystem infection, childhood brucellosis rarely manifests with pulmonary complications.
• Pediatric brucellosis presents diverse clinical symptoms, often complicating diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an extremely rare case of childhood brucellosis presenting as lobar pneumonia.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and clinical spectrum of brucellosis in children.
• To highlight successful therapeutic outcomes for pediatric brucellosis with lung involvement.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 6-year-old child initially suspected of meningococcemia.
• Diagnosis confirmed through Brucella agglutination test and bone marrow culture.
• Clinical presentation included symptoms initially mimicking lobar pneumonia.

Main Results:

• The patient, initially presenting with symptoms suggestive of pneumonia, was diagnosed with brucellosis.
• Diagnostic confirmation was achieved via specific serological and microbiological tests.
• Complete recovery was observed following a combination therapy regimen.

Conclusions:

• Childhood brucellosis, though rare, can present with severe pulmonary manifestations like lobar pneumonia.
• Accurate diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and appropriate laboratory testing in pediatric cases.
• Combination therapy with rifampicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is effective for treating pediatric brucellosis.