Yonsei Med J.  2006 Oct;47(5):741-744. 10.3349/ymj.2006.47.5.741.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Associated with Brucellosis in Two Patients with Fever and Pancytopenia

• Eser B
• Altuntas F
• Soyuer I
• Er O
• Canoz O
• Coskun HS
• Cetin M
• Unal A

• KMID: 1381257
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2006.47.5.741

Abstract

Brucellosis is a disease involving the lymphoproliferative system, which may lead to changes in the hematological parameters; however, pancytopenia is a rare finding. However, malignant diseases in association with brucellosis are rarely the cause of pancytopenia. Herein, two cases with fever and pancytopenia, diagnosed as simultaneous acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brucellosis are presented. Anti-leukemic therapy and brucellosis treatment were administered simultaneously, and normal blood parameters obtained. The first patient is in complete remission; the other recovered from the brucellosis, but later died due to a leukemic relapse.

Keyword

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; brucellosis; pancytopenia

MeSH Terms

Pancytopenia/diagnosis/*etiology/therapy
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute/*complications/pathology/therapy
Humans
Fever
Female
Brucellosis/*complications/diagnosis/therapy
Adult

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The predominating cells are lymphoblasts; these cells possess round, oval or indented nuclei containing coarse granular chromatin (My-Grunwald-Giemsa × 1000).

• 

  Fig. 2 Intensive lymphoblastic cells in the paratrabecular area (Hematoxylin-eosin × 400).

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  Fig. 3 Granulomatous structure, consisting of epitheloid histiocytes in the liver section (Hematoxylin-eosin × 200).

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