Brucellosis in renal transplant recipients: a comparative review of 5 cases

Although brucellosis in renal transplant recipients is rare, we studied the clinical characteristics of this infection in this patient population due to the significantly increased number of renal transplantations performed over the past few decades. We report one case from our experience and undertake a review of the previously reported cases retrieved from the PubMed. A total of 5 cases of brucellosis in renal transplant recipients were found to date. The mean time from transplantation to diagnosis of brucellosis was 4.7 years (range, 4 months to 13 years). Blood culture and detection of anti-Brucella antibodies were frequently used diagnostic investigations. Treatment with appropriate antibiotic regimen led to a clinical cure and marked improvement in Brucella titre in all the patients. This review illustrates that clinicians should remain vigilant for this infectious aetiology following renal transplantation. Further studies are required to delineate the magnitude and scope of this association.