Isolated splenic abscess in brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease, which can attack any organ of the body but mainly involves lymphoreticular system. Our case report describes isolated splenic abscess diagnosed in a 50-year-old individual who is a milk vendor by occupation and has the habit of consuming raw milk. He was admitted with pain abdomen, high-grade fever with chills, generalized malaise, night sweats and weight loss. Ultrasound and computerized tomography of the abdomen showed splenomegaly and hypodense, nonenhancing lesion measuring 3.2 × 2.8 × 2.8 cm. Brucella slide and tube agglutination tests (Wright, at 1/640) were positive. The patient was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage along with oral doxycycline (200 mg/day) and rifampin (600 mg/day) for 6 weeks. A high index of suspicion is required for early detection, prompt treatment and prevention of complications of brucellosis, especially in endemic areas. Patients with fever of unknown origin should be evaluated for brucellosis.