Abstract

The clinical presentations of human brucellosis are very polymorphic, representing a real challenge for clinicians. Among the unusual manifestations of this infection, vasculitis is particularly uncommon with only few sporadic cases in the world literature. We report an original observation of isolated cutaneous leuckocytoclastic vasculitis revealing acute brucellosis in a 44-year-old Tunisian man who was admitted for a rash with fever that had been evolving for two days. Somatic examination noted fever at 38°C, red-purple infiltrated and tender petechial lesions on feet, legs, and hands, small periungual necrotic lesions, and subungual splinter hemorrhages. The basic biological tests showed a biological inflammatory syndrome with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 82mmH1 and a C-reactive protein at 62mg/l. The skin biopsy concluded in leukocytoclastic vasculitis, without signs of malignancy and with a negative direct immunofluorescence. The specific etiological assessment of this vasculitis was negative. Wright's serology was positive at 1/1,280 confirming the diagnosis of acute septicemic brucellosis with brucellian vasculitis. The patient was treated with the combination: Doxycycline 200mg/d and Rifampicin 600mg/d with a rapidly favorable evolution. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the possibility of brucellosis in front of any unproven vasculitis, especially in endemic countries. This better knowledge will make it possible to avoid diagnostic delay and improve the prognosis of this infection.