Brucellosis in a Singaporean with prolonged fever

Seow CJ, Barkham T, Wong PM, Lin L, Pada SK, Tan SH
Correspondence: Dr Seow Cherng Jye, cherngjye.seow@mohh.com.sg

ABSTRACT
Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution, is common in many developing countries as well as in countries of the Mediterranean basin. We report brucellosis in a 52-year-old man, who had a recent travel history to Saudi Arabia, and who presented with prolonged fever and deranged liver enzymes. In view of the rarity of brucellosis and its potential life-threatening complications, patients returning from an endemic country need to be questioned for possible Brucella exposure, to ensure that diagnostic tests and treatment are carried out in a timely fashion. In addition to notifying the authorities, the clinician should also warn the laboratory early as cultures of brucellosis are highly transmissible and are one of the most common laboratory-acquired infections.

Keywords: Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, Brucellosis, laboratory-acquired infection
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(9): e312-e314