Brucella abortus-induced neck abscess: a case report in an urban area of Miranda, Venezuela

Brucellosis is a zoonosis acquired direct contact with infected animals or by consumption of unpasteurized animal by-products. The most common complications involve the musculoskeletal system, such as sacroiliitis or vertebral osteomyelitis. However, skin and soft tissue involvement is uncommon, and cervical abscess are rarely reported. We report the case of a 19-year-old male patient, with no medical history, from the metropolitan region of Caracas, Venezuela, with no history of travel or direct contact with farm animals, but regular consumption of cheese. In July 2024, he presented with undulating fever, hypor1exia and general malaise. One month later his fever intensified, preceded by chills, followed by the development of a painful, erythematous, warm swelling in the anterior neck, which evolved into an abscess requiring drainage. Purulent material yielded Brucella abortus biovar 1 confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The patient received Rifampicin and Doxycycline with full recovery. To our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of human brucellosis with this presentation in Venezuela, and the first reported case of cervical abscess caused by Brucella abortus . These findings underscore the importance of maintaining epidemiological surveillance of brucellosis and strengthening quality control and hygiene measures throughout the dairy production and distribution chain.