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A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
Neurobrucellosis with thalamic infarction: a case report.
Thomas Jochum1, Uta Kliesch, Reinhard Both
1Department of Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Philosophenweg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany.
Summary
Neurobrucellosis, a rare central nervous system complication of brucellosis, can cause meningitis and cranial nerve inflammation. Early diagnosis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is crucial for effective treatment, especially in travelers from endemic areas.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection endemic in many regions globally.
- Central nervous system (CNS) involvement occurs in approximately 5% of brucellosis cases, often presenting as meningitis or meningoencephalitis.
Observation:
- A case of neurobrucellosis presenting with meningitis and cranial nerve neuritis (bilateral abducens nerve palsy, amblyacousia) in a 56-year-old German male is reported.
- The patient experienced intractable headaches and a left thalamic infarction.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected Brucella antibodies in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Findings:
- Neurobrucellosis can manifest with diverse neurological symptoms, including cranial nerve palsies and meningitis.
- ELISA is a valuable diagnostic tool for neurobrucellosis when initial microbiological tests are inconclusive.
- Concurrent CNS events like thalamic infarction can occur in neurobrucellosis.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider neurobrucellosis in patients with unexplained meningitis or meningoencephalitis, particularly those with travel history to endemic areas.
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis of neurobrucellosis is essential for appropriate management and to prevent severe neurological sequelae.
- Enhanced diagnostic strategies, including serological tests like ELISA, are vital for identifying Brucella CNS infections.
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