Brucellosis Masquerading as Disseminated Tuberculosis: A Clinical Case Report

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Human brucellosis is a significant neglected zoonotic disease, particularly prevalent in rural populations globally.
• The disease often presents with non-specific symptoms, complicating early diagnosis.

Observation:

• A case of human brucellosis is presented with prolonged fever, headache, hepatosplenomegaly, transaminitis, and bicytopenia.
• Radiological findings suggested granulomatous disease with miliary nodules; bone marrow examination revealed noncaseating granuloma.

Findings:

• The patient exhibited serological evidence positive for Brucella.
• The clinical presentation mimicked disseminated tuberculosis, a common co-endemic disease, posing diagnostic challenges.

Implications:

• Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for brucellosis in patients with prolonged fever, especially in endemic areas.
• This case underscores the critical role of multidisciplinary teams in the diagnosis and management of complex infectious diseases like brucellosis.