Clinical and laboratory findings in neurobrucellosis: review of 31 cases

Abstract

Background: Neurobrucellosis is an uncommon complication of brucellosis. The clinical features of neurobrucellosis vary greatly and, in general, tend to be chronic. Many of the laboratory procedures usually employed in the diagnosis of brucellosis frequently give negative results. For these reasons, and because brucellosis is a disease, which is both treatable and curable, the degree of suspicion must be high, especially in endemic areas, so that an early diagnosis can be made to allow suitable treatment to be established.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 31 cases of neurobrucellosis was carried out.

Results: Meningitis and meningoencephalitis were the most common form of neurobrucellosis in our patients. The most commonly-used antibiotics were combinations of rifampin, doxycycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Conclusion: The differential diagnosis of neurobrucellosis is wide. However, the disease should be ruled out in all patients who develop unexplained neurological symptoms, especially in those who live in endemic areas.