An unusual case of acute brucellosis presenting with Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Brucellosis can mimic several primary hematological diseases. Mild anemia and leukopenia have been frequently associated with acute brucellosis, but pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hemolysis are less frequently seen. To our knowledge, brucellosis has not previously been described in association with Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Here, we report a case of acute brucellosis presenting with coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The patient responded well to short-term pulse corticosteroid therapy followed by antibrucellosis treatment. We suggest that Brucella infection may be the probable cause of the immune hemolytic anemia in this patient. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia should include brucellosis, especially in areas where the disease is endemic.
Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizi, Turkey. hisari@pau.edu.tr.hisari@gmail.com
Ismail
I
Sari
Ismail
I
Kocyigit
Fevzi
F
Altuntas
Leylagul
L
Kaynar
Bulent
B
Eser
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003298:Coombs Test; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count