A Rare Case of Brucellosis With Hepatic Involvement

This case report describes a rare instance of brucellosis with hepatic involvement in a 58-year-old female who contracted the infection after ingesting contaminated dairy products from Mexico. Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by gram-negative coccobacilli of the genus Brucella. The disease is relatively uncommon in the United States due to strict animal health policies; however, it remains a major public health concern in many other countries. Brucellosis typically presents with non-specific symptoms but can rapidly progress to multi-organ involvement. Clinicians should consider brucellosis in patients with non-specific symptoms, particularly those with a history of consuming potentially contaminated products. Diagnosis is typically based on cultures or serology and is subsequently treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy. Here, we present a case of brucellosis that was initially misdiagnosed due to the nonspecific nature of the presenting symptoms, which ultimately led to significant liver involvement. Culture data later confirmed Brucella, and the patient was started on a combination of doxycycline and gentamicin therapy, resulting in the resolution of the disease. This case emphasizes the need for public education on food safety and highlights the risks associated with consuming contaminated products brought into the U.S. from abroad.