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Updated: May 13, 2026
06:23
Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Neurobrucellosis: clinical and diagnostic features.
Tumer Guven1, Kenan Ugurlu, Onder Ergonul
1Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
Neurobrucellosis, a neurological complication of brucellosis, affects 37.5% of patients in endemic areas. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and imaging, with Brucella tube agglutination in CSF showing high accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Brucellosis can present with diverse neurological manifestations.
- Neurobrucellosis diagnosis requires specific criteria and can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe neurological involvement in brucellosis.
- To revisit and refine diagnostic criteria for neurobrucellosis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observation of hospitalized brucellosis patients in an endemic region.
- Diagnosis of neurobrucellosis based on clinical presentation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis (including Brucella isolation and antibody presence), and neuroimaging.
- Lumbar puncture performed on 128 patients with neurological symptoms.
Main Results:
- 48 out of 128 (37.5%) patients were diagnosed with neurobrucellosis.
- CSF Brucella tube agglutination (TA) demonstrated high sensitivity (0.94) and specificity (0.96).
- Common neurological findings included agitation, behavioral disorders, muscle weakness, disorientation, and neck rigidity.
Conclusions:
- Neurobrucellosis should be considered in patients with severe neurological symptoms in endemic regions.
- Brucella TA in CSF is a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool.
- Longer treatment durations may be necessary for neurobrucellosis.
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