Congenital Brucellosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Brucellosis, the most common bacterial zoonotic infection in many countries, is endemic to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Brucellosis develops due to infection by the Gram-negative genus Brucella. Brucellosis is usually transmitted by the consumption of infected animal milk or dairy products and is rarely transmitted through human-to-human transmission. However, cases of transmission have been documented, resulting from blood transfusions, transplantation, breastfeeding, sexual contact, and aerosol transmission. Affected neonates may manifest with low birth weight, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, respiratory distress, and sepsis, but some cases are asymptomatic. Herein, we present the case of a severely preterm neonate who presented with severe respiratory distress and sepsis after delivery. The neonate was positive for Gram-negative coccobacilli, and the mother had a history of contact with animals during pregnancy, leading to a high suspicion for and a diagnosis of congenital brucellosis. Brucellosis should be closely monitored, especially in epidemic areas. Congenital brucellosis treatment in newborns faces additional challenges of drug choice and disease relapse. We treated our patient with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and rifampin for six weeks, and she was discharged in good condition.