Neurobrucellosis Presenting as Acute Psychosis.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Neurobrucellosis, a rare complication, can present with various neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
• This case highlights an unusual presentation of neurobrucellosis.

Observation:

• A 45-year-old female presented with acute psychosis, including abnormal behavior, irrelevant talking, restlessness, and episodic crying.
• She also reported a 2-day history of decreased sleep, a 6-month history of intermittent headaches, and a 4-month history of hearing impairment.
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and positive Brucella titers confirmed the diagnosis.

Findings:

• The patient received a 6-month treatment course for brucellosis and a short course of antipsychotics.
• Psychiatric symptoms resolved, but hearing loss persisted.
• This case underscores the rare co-occurrence of psychosis and hearing loss in neurobrucellosis.

Implications:

• Neurobrucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained neuropsychiatric symptoms, including acute psychosis and hearing loss.
• Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for managing neurobrucellosis.
• This case emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach for complex neurological presentations.