Unusual Abscess Caused by Brucella Melitensis

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease which any organ can be involved. Soft tissue lesions are rare manifestations of brucellosis. Brucella breast abscess in animal is not uncommon; involvement of the breast in human brucella is extremely rare. Breast abscess involvement was reported to 0.7% of the patient with brucellosis. We report the microbiological findings of breast abscess due to brucella. A 38-year-old woman living in the rural area of Kerman, Iran, presented with an abscess in the right breast. The sampling of the abscess aspiration and preparation of smears showed inflammatory fluid. Culture and PCR performed from the sample identified the presence of Brucella melitensis. The lesion had diminished in size after 8 weeks of treatment with combined doxycycline and rifampin. The possibility of breast abscess being caused by Brucella should be considered in countries, especially in endemic regions. Besides, isolated Brucella spp from microbiological cultures is important for a definitive diagnosis.