Encephalomyelitis with hearing loss: case report on neurobrucellosis

Vikas Lakhanpal1, Deependra Singh2, Kiran Bhagwat2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India drvikaslakhanpal@gmail.com.

BMJ Case Reports
|May 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Neurobrucellosis, a zoonotic infection, can cause serious neurological issues like encephalomyelitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications in affected individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Zoonotic Infections

Background:

  • Neurobrucellosis is a significant zoonotic infection, particularly in resource-limited areas.
  • It stems from contact with infected animals or their products.
  • Delayed diagnosis can lead to severe neurological sequelae.

Observation:

  • A case report details a middle-aged man with encephalomyelitis, hearing loss, and confirmed neurobrucellosis.
  • Diagnosis was established through characteristic imaging and serological test results.

Findings:

  • The patient's presentation highlighted the diverse neurological manifestations of neurobrucellosis.
  • Imaging and serology confirmed the diagnosis, underscoring their importance in identifying the infection.

Implications:

  • A high index of suspicion for neurobrucellosis is vital in patients with fever and neurological symptoms.
  • Prompt management is essential to mitigate debilitating long-term neurological deficits, including cognitive and psychiatric impairments.

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...