Florida man contracts rare bacteria after eating pig meat

A 77-year-old man in Florida experienced significant chest pain for nearly two years before doctors identified the cause. He often visited hospitals and was treated for various infections, but nothing seemed to work. The man had several health issues, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart failure. He had received multiple heart defibrillators, underscoring his complicated medical history. Each hospital visit added to the mystery of his discomfort, with doctors suspecting an infection but finding no conclusive evidence. Eventually, during a visit in fall 2020, blood tests finally revealed the problem. Doctors detected a specific type of bacteria in his blood. After confirming signs of infection around his heart implant, they decided to remove it. Further testing by health officials revealed the presence of Brucella suis, a bacteria associated with feral pigs. This case highlights the risks of consuming feral pig meat, which can harbor harmful bacteria. The man's difficult journey emphasizes the importance of thorough testing in diagnosing rare infections.