Metabolic map of Brucellosis: From acute and chronic phase adaptation to targeted nanodrug design

Brucellosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease caused by <i>Brucella</i> species, leading to significant public health and economic burdens, especially in developing regions. As a facultative intracellular pathogen, <i>Brucella</i> establishes long-term persistence within host cells, often resulting in chronic infections that are difficult to eradicate. The metabolic interplay between the host and the pathogen plays a crucial role in disease progression, influencing both immune evasion and bacterial survival. This review systematically outlines the metabolic adaptations of <i>Brucella</i> during acute and chronic phases of infection, covering central carbon metabolism, nitrogen utilization, lipid and nucleotide turnover, and metal homeostasis. We further discuss how these metabolic insights can inform the rational design of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for targeted antimicrobial therapy. By integrating host and bacterial metabolic perspectives, this work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding brucellosis pathogenesis and to inspire novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.