Background: Brucellosis poses a significant public health concern in endemic regions. While pulmonary involvement is uncommon, there have been few reported instances of empyema. This case report aims to discuss a rare occurrence of brucellosis leading to empyema and pleural thickening.
Case report: A 55-year-old patient presented with dyspnea and was diagnosed with pleural effusion. Given the medical history, suspicion arose, leading to blood and pleural fluid tests, which returned significantly positive for Brucella agglutination. Subsequent imaging revealed pleural thickening and an expansion defect, necessitating video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) decortication.
Conclusion: If left untreated, brucellosis can result in severe complications, including the rare occurrences of empyema and pleural thickening. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of medical treatment are crucial in preventing such complications.