Acute thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood brucellosis.

Two children who presented with fever, thrombocytopenic purpura and mucosal haemorrhages proved to have brucellosis. Large platelets in the peripheral smear and megakaryocytic hyperplasia in the bone marrow suggested increased peripheral destruction as the primary mechanism of the thrombocytopenia. There was a prompt clinical and haematological response to specific anti-brucella chemotherapy. The nature of this association and its implications for brucella-endemic areas are discussed.