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Brucellosis contracted during foreign travel.
D M Revak1, R A Swain, R M Guthrie
1Family Practice Residency, Ohio State University, Columbus.
Postgraduate Medicine
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Brucellosis is a rare bacterial infection, often linked to animal products. This case highlights delayed diagnosis in a traveler, emphasizing suspicion in patients with unexplained fever and travel to endemic regions.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Public Health
Background:
- Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by Brucella species.
- It is uncommon in the United States, typically affecting individuals with occupational exposure to domestic animals or animal products.
- Global travel increases the risk of exposure in non-endemic areas.
Observation:
- A patient presented with symptoms of brucellosis after traveling to Yugoslavia.
- Diagnosis was complicated by a significant delay between symptom onset and positive serologic test results.
- Unexplained fever in a traveler warrants consideration of brucellosis.
Findings:
- The case illustrates a delayed diagnosis of brucellosis due to the time lag in serological confirmation.
- Brucellosis can be acquired through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products in endemic countries.
- Travel history is a critical factor in diagnosing infectious diseases presenting with non-specific symptoms.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider brucellosis in patients with unexplained fever, particularly those with a history of travel to regions where unpasteurized dairy consumption is prevalent.
- Early suspicion and appropriate diagnostic testing are crucial for timely brucellosis management.
- Public health awareness regarding travel-associated brucellosis is important for prevention and control efforts.