Congenital brucellosis in a preterm infant: A case report from France and literature review.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital brucellosis is a rare but serious transplacental infection.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis, that has become extremely rare in France unlike many countries in the Mediterranean basin, where it remains endemic and is a cause of travel-related morbidity. We have reported the first case of neonatal brucellosis in France since 1990, involving a preterm infant born at 26 weeks with Brucella melitensis chorioamnionitis, due to mother-to-fetal transmission. A PubMed review (2000-2024) identified 13 additional neonatal cases.

RESULTS

The mother had consumed unpasteurized cheese during early pregnancy in Spain. Maternal Blood cultures at delivery were positive for B. melitensis. The neonate remained asymptomatic until day 13, when blood culture -negative at birth- became positive. Despite delayed treatment, clinical respone was favorable. Since 2000, most cases have involved B. melitensis, presenting with respiratory distress, sepsis, or hepatomegaly. Infants were mainly treated with Rifampicin and TMP-SMX for six weeks, with overall favorable outcomes despite occasional severe or chronic cases.

CONCLUSION

This rare case highlights the need to consider brucellosis in maternal fever or unexplained neonatal sepsis, with travel and dietary history guiding early diagnosis.