Brucella Causing Liver Abscess in a Child with Selective IgA Deficiency.

BACKGROUND

Brucella has been known to cause pyrexia of unknown origin.

CASE CHARACTERISTICS: 9-year-old boy with fever and abdominal pain; multiple abscesses within the liver on ultrasonography.

OBSERVATIONS: IgM Antibodies against Brucella were raised in his serum sample, and Brucella serum agglutination test was positive. Immunological work-up suggested selective IgA deficiency. Reduction in size following treatment with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, amikacin and doxycycline.

MESSAGE: Brucellosis should be considered as an etiology of liver abscess in patients not responding to conventional antibiotics.