Brucellosis of the Spine in Children-An Analysis of 5 Children From an Endemic Setting

Brucellosis of the spine is quite common among adults in endemic regions. The incidence of brucellosis of the spine affecting children is very rare. This article describes the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, management and outcome of children with brucellosis of the spine. It also aims to create awareness among all health care professionals, especially spine surgeons, regarding this rare entity.

This was a retrospective study of children aged less than 15 years who were diagnosed and treated for brucellosis of the spine. Confirmed cases of brucellosis in children who had completed a full course of a triple-drug regimen as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines were included. Outcome analysis included both clinical and radiological measures. Clinical measures included pain, neurological status, and return to school. Resolution of the abscess and sclerosis of the involved vertebra were taken as the radiological measure.

A total of 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl) with an average age of 10 years, ranging from 6 to 14 years, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up period was 32 months. All children presented with fever, back pain, and constitutional symptoms. Two of them had neurological deficits, and posttreatment, they improved to near normal neurological status. Only 1 child with an epidural abscess compressing the lumbar canal required surgical intervention. All the children were treated with a triple-drug regimen. Longer duration of treatment (14 months) was given for 2 children with history of relapse. All children were healed of the disease without any sequalae or relapse.

Blood culture and standard agglutination tests are mandatory for the diagnosis of brucellosis. Children tolerated the triple-drug regimen well. Prolonged duration of treatment was required for children with relapse. Health education to all treating health care professionals and parents is of paramount importance for treatment and control of this endemic disease.