by Sachin Murdeshwar

MUMBAI: A 49-year-old man from Mumbai exhibited symptoms such as fever, body pain, malaise, cough, mild throat pain similar to COVID-19. Hence, the patient was worried and due to his symptoms his Family physician referred him for hospital admission, Zen Hospital came to the rescue of the patient, He has advised a COVID test on OPD basis and with the negative report he was admitted and worked up for fever and later found out that  he was suffering from a rare Brucella pneumonia and gave him a prompt and timely treatment.

Ramesh Kumar (name changed), who is a bakery owner found it difficult to do his daily chores due to persistent fever, occasional cough, body pain, malaise and fatigue, and a mild rash over the body. He was admitted to Zen  Multispecialty Hospital, Chembur. Before that, the patient approached various other hospitals in Mumbai who refused to admit him as his symptoms were similar to coronavirus.

Dr. Vikrant Shah, consulting physician, intensivist and infectious disease specialist, Zen Multispeciality Hospital Chembur highlighted, “His reports revealed low white blood cell count with low lymphocytes and elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and slightly high Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). The rest of the investigations were within normal limits, and his primary swab test was negative for COVID 19. But as a part of the workup for FUO since patient persisted to get a fever and later developed diarrhea too on day 9 of an illness, a CT chest and abdomen was done and which showed Evidence of COVID pneumonia-like picture on CT chest.

His repeat Investigations persisted to show low WBC, marginally low platelets and low lymphocytes and Hence COVID swab was repeated and which turned out to be negative again and hence the patient underwent various tests that confirmed he was suffering from brucella pneumonia and not COVID-19. The patient received appropriate treatment and was better and Discharged.

Dr. Shah said, “Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by the genus Brucella. Humans are accidental hosts. Transmission is generally achieved either through direct contact with contaminated animals or through the ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products and inhalation of infectious aerosol particles, suggesting that Brucellae enter the human body through the skin or mucous discontinuities. Symptoms include fatigue, malaise, anorexia, and body aches. Fever is the most common sign.

Dr. Vikrant Shah also stated,” to diagnose and treat such a patient in the midst of corona pandemic with a clinical dilemma due to its presentation, it was really a gratifying experience as a doctor.”

Dr. Shah added, “Patient has been suggested to come for follow-ups after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, to monitor his condition and see whether the symptoms recur.”

“When I represented symptoms such as fever, cough, mild throat pain I was scared as they overlapped with coronavirus symptoms, I was paranoid, and even my family was worried and apprehensive about admission in view of classical symptoms but we didn’t give up. We approached Zen Hospital who immediately treated me and gave me a fresh lease of life. I thank the doctors for doing the needful,” concluded patient Ramesh Kumar (name changed).