Acute brucellosis with typical hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis accompanying elevated tumor markers.

We reported a typical brucellosis, which was diagnosed as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Although some tumor markers (CEA, CYFRA21-1, NSE, CA19-9) in the patient's serum were elevated, carcinomas were excluded by a variety of inspections including bone marrow aspirations, ultrasound examinations, and whole-body PET-CT scans. It was concluded that serum tumor markers are considered medically necessary as a screening test for brucellosis with HLH, however, detailed inspections were needed to make a final diagnosis. Moreover, combination of epidemiology investigations and laboratory inspections were helpful to determine the etiology of HLH and initiate the corresponding treatments.