Brucellosis mimicking Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
A young male immigrant from Syria with a vasculitic-appearing leg rash, asymmetrical polyarthritis, microscopic haematuria, and raised inflammatory markers was provisionally diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Skin biopsy showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Low-grade fevers persisted despite non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy, and Brucella sp. was subsequently grown from both blood and synovial fluid aspirates. Further tests gave positive results for B. abortus, and triple antibiotic therapy produced a rapid clinical response. Cutaneous vasculitis has rarely been described in brucellosis, and this is the first report in the English medical literature of brucellosis mimicking Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
Massasso
David
D
Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW. david.massasso@dr.nswama.com.au
Gibson
Kathryn
K
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002002:Brucella; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002611:Cheese; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents