Brucellosis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Apr 22, 2021
  • Author: Nicholas John Bennett, MBBCh, PhD, FAAP, MA(Cantab); Chief Editor: Michael Stuart Bronze, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

The signs and symptoms of brucellosis can be nonspecific and can mimic those of many other diseases; therefore, meticulous attention is needed in making the diagnosis and in treating patients. The primary diagnostic pitfall is failure to consider possible Brucella infection in a patient with history that suggests a possible source of infection (eg, a farmer, a traveler to an endemic region, or a veterinarian).

In addition to the conditions listed in the differential diagnosis, other problems to be considered include the following:

  • Collagen-vascular disease

  • Erythema nodosum

  • Fever of unknown origin

  • Malignancy (eg, lymphoma)

  • Rickettsial diseases

  • Sacroiliitis

  • Vasculitis

Differential Diagnoses