HEPATITIS AND CHOLECYSTITIS IN THE COURSE OF BRUCELLA INFECTION

Abstract

Brucella infection in man is a relatively common disease in the United States, as shown by the increasing number of reports from all parts of the country. In the numerous clinical reports on the subject there is, however, relatively little to be found concerning the visceral manifestations of the disease in man. Clinically, in a few reported cases abdominal pain has been the predominant symptom and has led to the consideration of cholecystitis or appendicitis as the possible diagnosis. Simpson¹has recorded twelve appendectomies and two cholecystectomies performed on patients with undulant fever. In two of the cases studied by Hardy and his associates²a diagnosis of cholecystitis was seriously considered. Leavell and Amoss³reported a case of brucelliasis in a patient whose illness was complicated by cholecystitis, and from whose bile they were able to isolate Brucella organisms. In their article they include the case reported