[Prolonged fever and imported brucellosis: Targeted diagnosis in a patient returning from endemic areas]

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis that remains endemic in many parts of the world but is now rare in France, where most cases are imported. Its clinical presentation is often nonspecific and may be limited to prolonged fever.

We report the case of a 46-year-old man who presented with prolonged fever, fatigue, and night sweats following several stays in Algeria. Blood cultures grew a fastidious Gram-negative bacillus, initially difficult to identify. Brucella serology was positive, and Brucella melitensis was confirmed by species-specific PCR at the Nîmes National Reference Center. A six-week course of doxycycline and rifampicin led to rapid defervescence and clearance of the bacteremia.

This case allows us to discuss the indications for brucellosis screening in patients presenting with prolonged fever in France, as well as the limitations of available diagnostic tools.