[Brucellosis, an overview and current aspects].

Although brucellosis, a zoonosis mostly associated with sheep, goats and cattle, is not endemic in Germany, it is a relevant imported infectious disease. If patients suffer from fever of unknown origin after a stay in highly endemic countries like the Mediterranean area or the Arab world, it is mandatory to formally exclude brucellosis. Cultural methods are the diagnostic gold standard, but due to special methodical and infrastructural requirements it is essential to inform the laboratory at suspicion of infection. The treatment of brucellosis is challenging and usually based on a long-term combination regime using doxycycline and rifampin for at least 6 weeks.