BRUCELLOSIS IN THALASSEMIA INTERMEDIA PATIENT: A CASE REPORT WITH REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of brucellosis in a patient with Thalassemia intermedia in Iran.
Presentation of Case: We present the rare case of Thalassemia intermedia in 34-year-old man that had brucellosis, too. He referred to our Clinic with complaint of abdominal discomfort with anxiety that in abdominal exam, we found that he had a huge spleen with microcytic anemia. In a suitable environment in the presence of specialist and with the consent of the patient about past history, he said that his mother had thalassemia minor. Also he suffered of weight loss and night sweating with fever more than 38ºC. Blood culture that was sent for him was positive with brucellosis. He explained exertional fatigue in past history that may be due to anemia. Due to huge spleen we agreed that he had Thalassemia intermedia, but thalassemia didn’t justify all signs of this case that it be acceptable for hematologist. In re-evaluation of patient, it was determined that patient was living in a rural area in the west of Iran from birth, and he had a history of consumption of unpasteurized milk and cheese and also had contacted with sheep.
Discussion and Conclusion: This report shows that probably there is a correlation between Thalassemia intermediaand brucellosis, and this correlation probably can affect on treatment of two diseases that for making such decision we need more patients and more studies. Therefore, we can’t decide on current topic only by one case.