title: Endophlebitis of the leg caused by brucella infection.
abstract: Brucellosis is hyperendemic in Saudi Arabia where, despite rapid urbanisation, a large segment of the population has a nomadic background and clings to cultural traditions such as the drinking of raw milk. We report here an unusual complication of brucellosis in a microbiology technologist. A 41-year-old male presented with an 8-day history of right ankle pain which, over a 3-day period, extended up to his calf where swelling and tightness developed. The leg symptomatology occurred on a background of fever, seats and rigors. X-ray of the limb was normal but a venogram revealed thrombosis of the deep veins of the right calf. Although his blood culture was negative, he developed high brucella antibody titres. Treatment with anticoagulants combined with a course of doxycycline and rifampin produced a full recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Prevention and Control, NGHA, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Memish
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bannatyne
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alshaalan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017347:Brucella melitensis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000925:Anticoagulants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004318:Doxycycline; D012293:Rifampin