ABSTRACT
Background: We aimed to examine cases of brucellosis that presented with severe thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic diathesis
Methods: A total of 10 brucellosis cases with severe thrombocytopenia were included in this case-series study. Patients' files were reviewed for their clinical and laboratory findings, as well as clinical outcomes and complications. Platelet counts of<20000/mm[3] were diagnosed as severe thrombocytopenia
Results: The lowest thrombocyte count was 3000/mm[3] while the highest was 19000/mm[3] [mean: 12000/mm[3]]. Patients had the following symptoms: epistaxis [7 cases], petechia with epistaxis [4 cases], bleeding gums [3 cases], ecchymosis with epistaxis [2 cases], melena and renal failure [2 cases], and hematuria [1 case]. Patients were given rifampicin and doxycycline along with supportive hematological therapy. All were treated successfully with no evidence of recurrence at follow-up visits
Conclusion: Since brucellosis is endemic in developing countries, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases that present with severe thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic diathesis