Brucellosis in a mother and her young infant: probable transmission by breast milk

Brucellosis, although primarily a zoonotic infection, is also a threat for human health. Infection can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, products of conception, or animal discharges, and through consumption of potentially infected milk, milk products, or meat. Human-to-human transmission is rare. There have been case reports of transmission via blood transfusion and bone marrow transplantation from infected donors. Sexual intercourse is a possible means of transmission. Neonatal infection can be acquired transplacentally or during delivery. This report describes a mother with brucellosis who probably transmitted the infection to her 3-month-old baby by breast milk.