Neurobrucellosis in an eight-year-old child

An 8-year-old boy, presenting with signs of chronic meningitis, and involvement of cranial nerves, was found to have neurobrucellosis. The diagnosis was rapidly established by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detected high titres of IgG, IgA and IgM brucella antibodies in CSF and in serum. Brucella melitensis was subsequently isolated both from blood and CSF. Neurobrucellosis, which has been considered to be very rare in childhood, should be suspected in cases of meningitis of obscure aetiology in brucella-endemic areas. Brucella-specific antibodies in serum and CSF should be determined in these cases using sensitive serological techniques.