[Lumbosacral meningoradiculitis as a late manifestation of brucellosis (Brucella melitensis)]

Abstract

Neurologic complications can occur during the course of brucellosis. In a 25-year-old patient admitted July 3, 1984 because of loss of weight (10 kg) brucellosis (Brucella melitensis) was diagnosed on the basis of splenomegaly, positive agglutination and positive blood and bone marrow cultures. Therapy with cotrimazol was performed for eight weeks. On July 31, 1984 the patient was readmitted because of weakness in both legs. Neurologic examination revealed slight weakness of the hip extensors and a marked weakness of the knee flectors and foot extensors without loss of sensation. The cerebrospinal fluid had a protein concentration of 3.6 g/l and a white blood cell content of 410/3 (39% granulocytes and 57% lymphocytes). Radiologic examinations ruled out spondylodiscitis. Meningoradiculitis was diagnosed in view of the inflammatory changes in the cerebrospinal fluid. After therapy with prednisone, rifampicin and doxicycline the neurologic alterations improved markedly. The clinical features and prevalence of this neurologic complication as reported in the literature are discussed.