Malta fever: clinical case

Abstract

Introduction: Malta fever (brucellosis) is a zoonotic infection produced by intracellular gram-negative coccobacilli, which is transmitted by the consumption of infected unpasteurized animal products, skin contact or mucous membranes with infected animal tissues and fluids, and inhalation of infected aerosolized particles.

Case: A 34-year-old man living in a rural area, who works in livestock, was admitted to the emergency department for presenting a clinical picture of 15 days of evolution of unquantified febrile peaks associated with symptoms such as chills, asthenia, adynamia and myalgia. The diagnosis of infection with Brucella Abortus was given through clinical-pathological correlation.

Conclusion: This pathology is more frequent in adult males. Serological studies (antibodies, agglutination and immunochromatographic assay) prove to have the highest sensitivity and diagnostic specificity in the clinical picture. The treatment is given with medication that acts on intracellular acidic environment (tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones), this in order to control the disease, and prevent complications and relapses.