What infection is characterized by recurrent fevers, painful joints, and hepatosplenomegaly in a man returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia?

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by the Brucella species, typically contracted through unpasteurized dairy products or direct contact with infected animals. The symptoms associated with brucellosis include recurrent fevers, which can have an undulating pattern, as well as severe joint pain and significant enlargement of the liver and spleen, known as hepatosplenomegaly. These symptoms align well with the details provided in the question, especially given the recent return from a region where brucellosis is endemic, such as Saudi Arabia.

The specificity of recurrent fevers and joint pain in conjunction with hepatosplenomegaly further supports brucellosis over other conditions. While malaria can also present with fevers and hepatosplenomegaly, the characteristic joint pain is not as prominent. Similarly, although dengue fever can cause joint pain and sometimes fever, it is often associated with a more severe presentation of hemorrhagic symptoms rather than a recurrent fever pattern seen in brucellosis. Typhoid fever, on the other hand, typically features sustained high fevers but is less likely to present with joint pain as a significant symptom.

Thus, the combination of symptoms and the geographical context strongly indicates that brucellosis