Brucellosis as a rare cause of olecranon bursitis: case-based review

Rheumatol Int. 2019 Dec;39(12):2185-2187. doi: 10.1007/s00296-019-04414-5. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Abstract

A 51-year-old man shepherd presented with mild pain and swelling of the right posterior aspect of his right elbow. In ultrasonography, the affected bursal space had swelling and effusion. Moreover, the aspiration of the affected bursa revealed an inflammatory profile. Brucella melitensis was detected in aspirated fluid and blood cultures. The serum agglutination test (SAT) and 2-mercaptoethanol test for brucellosis were also positive. Therefore, the diagnosis of brucellar olecranon was confirmed. Treatment was initiated using gentamicin for the first 7 days and doxycycline plus rifampicin for 2 months. After treatment, all clinical signs and symptoms were resolved. No relapse was seen after 1 year of the completion of treatment. Clinicians should pay attention to the symptoms of olecranon brucellar bursitis that is similar to that of pyogenic bursitis.

Keywords: Brucellosis; Bursitis; Olecranon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brucella melitensis / isolation & purification
  • Brucellosis / complications*
  • Brucellosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Brucellosis / drug therapy
  • Bursitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Bursitis / drug therapy
  • Bursitis / microbiology*
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Gentamicins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Olecranon Process / diagnostic imaging*
  • Olecranon Process / microbiology
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gentamicins
  • Doxycycline
  • Rifampin