Skeletal lesions in a rare form of multisystemic brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Brucella. Human infection typically occurs through contact  with infected animals or consumption of contaminated animal products such as unpasteurized milk. In the context of rheumatic diseases,  Brucellosis is known to cause musculoskeletal manifestations, making it relevant to rheumatology. The joints are commonly  affected, and patients may experience symptoms such as a migratory arthritis, joint pain and myalgias. The inflammatory arthritis is often  referred to as brucellar arthritis. Chronic brucellosis can be challenging in that clinical features and laboratory markers can overlap  with other infectious and rheumatic diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). This case report illustrates one of such  occasions whereby chronic brucellosis presented with features mimicking a rheumatic disease and/or metastatic bone disease.