A Case Report of Pediatric Brucellosis in an Algerian Immigrant. (10th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kitt, Eimear; Brannock, Kristina R.; VonHolz, Lauren A.; Planet, Paul J.; Graf, Erin; Pillai, Vinodh
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 4:Number 1(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-02-10
• Subjects: Algeria -- Brucella melitensis -- Maghreb -- ring granuloma; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: An 8-year old girl presented to our facility with a 10-day history of fever, fatigue, abdominal pain and refusal to walk. She recently travelled from her native Algeria where she first developed symptoms. On evaluation, she was ill-appearing, febrile and tachycardic with hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy noted on examination. A strong musty odor was also noted from the child. Laboratory evaluation revealed pancytopenia, hyponatremia, and an elevated AST, ALT, and LDH. Malaria testing was negative, as was a PPD. On further questioning, the family reported multiple sick contacts in Algeria with similar symptoms. After discussion with Oncology and Infectious Diseases, she underwent a bone marrow biopsy that was significant for multiple non-caseating ring granulomas. She was started on combination therapy of doxycycline and for presumed brucellosis infection with improvement in her symptoms and resolution of fever. Bone marrow culture returned several days later positive for Brucella melitensis.