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Published on: May 23, 2021
Spastic paraparesis and sensorineural hearing loss in a patient with neurobrucellosis
Tuba Baykal1, Fatih Baygutalp, Kazim Senel
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Objective:
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease and still a major public health problem in many geographic areas including Mediterranean basin and Middle East. Brucellosis causes multisystemic involvement and although rare central nervous system involvement causes serious manifestations. Neurobrucellosis occurs less than 5% of patients and presents with meningitis,encephalitis, myelitis, myelopathy, stroke, paraplegia, radiculoneuritis, intracerebral abscess, epidural abscess, demyelination and cranial nerve involvement or any combination of these manifestations. Spastic paraparesis and the sensorineural involvement are rarely reported in the literature.
Methods:
Herein we present a 28 years-old man with spastic paraparesis and sensorineural hearing loss due to neurobrucellosis.
Results:
The patient was treated with antibiotics combination for 6 months and underwent rehabilitation program.
Conclusions:
Neurobrucellosis should be ruled out in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms and/or sensorineuralhearing loss particularly in those living in endemic areas.
Insights
Neurobrucellosis, a rare complication of brucellosis, can cause serious neurological issues like spastic paraparesis and hearing loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for patients in endemic regions.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease with global public health implications, particularly in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
- Central nervous system involvement (neurobrucellosis) is a rare but severe complication, presenting with diverse neurological manifestations.
Observation:
- This case study details a 28-year-old male presenting with spastic paraparesis and sensorineural hearing loss.
- These specific symptoms, spastic paraparesis and sensorineural involvement, are infrequently reported in neurobrucellosis literature.
Findings:
- The patient received a 6-month course of combination antibiotic therapy.
- A comprehensive rehabilitation program was implemented as part of the patient's treatment.
Implications:
- Neurobrucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained neurological symptoms and sensorineural hearing loss.
- Prompt identification and management are essential for individuals residing in or traveling to brucellosis-endemic areas.
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