Brucellosis triggering hemolytic anemia in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

OBJECTIVES

To present a case of acute brucellosis triggering acute hemolytic anemia in a subject with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

A 17-year-old male patient presented with fever, malaise and jaundice. His blood and bone marrow cultures yielded Brucella species. In addition, he was found to have acute hemolytic anemia due to previously undiagnosed G6PD deficiency. He was started on folic acid supplementation and given a combination of doxycycline and rifampicin for 6 weeks. His response to antibiotic therapy was optimal; the hemolytic anemia resolved. There were no further episodes of hemolysis.

CONCLUSION

This case showed that the differential diagnosis of acute hemolytic anemia in subjects with G6PD deficiency should include brucellosis, especially in regions where the infection is endemic.