Neonatal brucellosis and blood transfusion: case report and review of the literature

Neonatal brucellosis following blood transfusion has not previously been reported. A premature male infant born at 24 weeks gestation developed low grade fever and decreased activity and showed poor weight gain at 45 weeks post-menstrual age. Blood culture grew Brucella melitensis and the brucella antibody titre was positive. He received a 6-week course of septrin and rifampicin and made a full recovery. The infant had received a blood transfusion 5 days prior to his illness. The blood donor had symptoms suggestive of brucellosis, and it was suspected that the blood transfusion was the source of infection but this could not be confirmed as the donor was not traceable. It is suggested that, in areas endemic for brucellosis, prospective blood donors should be questioned about symptoms of brucellosis, and serological tests to screen for brucellosis might be indicated.