Case report. Brucella canis bacteremia: a case with negative B canis agglutinins

Naturally acquired Brucella canis infection is believed to be uncommon, but is not readily diagnosed. A 55-year-old woman developed fever, abdominal pain, malaise, weakness, and anorexia eight weeks after her dog delivered stillborn pups. Blood cultures yielded B canis. Specific B canis agglutinins were negative initially and remained negative during convalescence. Therapy with tetracycline and streptomycin was successful but was associated with a probable Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.