[Neurobrucellosis. A report of 13 cases]

Thirteen patients with nervous system brucellosis are described. The clinical signs were heterogeneous: meningoencephalitis in 5 cases, meningoradiculitis in another 5, meningomyelitis with cranial neuropathy in 1 and of a vascular nature in 2 others. Neurologic signs appeared during the active phase in 5 patients and later in 8. Diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serology, quantitative changes in CSF and favorable response to treatment. Therapy consisted of a combination of 2 or 3 of the following drugs: rifampin, doxycycline, streptomycin and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. In spite of favorable evolution, 5 patients suffered sequelae. We suggest that brucellosis be investigated when neurologic deficit ensues with no known etiology, especially in endemic countries.