Brucellosis associated with acute kidney injury and pancytopenia: a case report and review of the literature.

Brucella infection frequently involves multiple organ systems, such as muscles, bones, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and others. Its clinical manifestations lack specificity. Acute kidney injury complicated by haemophagocytic syndrome is particularly rare in the course of brucellosis. We described a 51-year-old man with brucellosis presenting with acute kidney injury and haemophagocytic syndrome. His primary manifestations included unexplained fever, progressive pancytopenia, progressive elevation of serum creatinine, imaging demonstrating increased renal cortical echogenicity, and positive blood culture results for Brucella. Following combined anti-Brucella therapy and etoposide (VP-16) chemotherapy, the patient's symptoms and renal function improved significantly. This case highlights the need to consider rare pathogens in cases of unexplained fever, as the clinical features of haemophagocytic syndrome lack specificity. Detailed history-taking, definitive laboratory findings, and awareness of rare complications of brucellosis facilitate early diagnosis and management.