Brucellosis in two thalassaemic patients infected by blood transfusions from the same donor

Brucellosis was diagnosed in two polytransfused, thalassaemic patients who had received blood containing brucella agglutinins from an asymptomatic donor. In one of the patients the onset of the disease simulated infectious mononucleosis. Despite the fact that both cases were splenetomized, the course of illness was not life threatening. However, a tendency for recurrence of the infection and persistence of high brucella agglutinin titres were noted.