Brucellar spondylodiscitis: case report

Acta Clin Belg. 2007 Sep-Oct;62(5):304-7. doi: 10.1179/acb.2007.046.

Abstract

Brucellosis is a common zoonosis which still remains a major health problem in certain parts of the world. Osteoarticular involvement is the most frequent complication of brucellosis, in which the diagnosis of brucellar spondylodiscitis is often difficult since the clinical presentation may be obscured by many other conditions. Herein, we report an uncommon case of spondylodiscitis due to Brucella in a male who presented with abdominal pain. The diagnosis was established by positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT scan) and magnetic resonance followed by a confirmation on Brucella-agglutination test and positive culture of computed tomography (CT) guided punction fluid. This case report illustrates an atypical presentation of spondylitis and points out the difficulties in diagnosing the aetiological agens Brucella and differentiating its specific features from tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
  • Bed Rest
  • Brucella melitensis / immunology
  • Brucella melitensis / isolation & purification*
  • Brucellosis / diagnosis
  • Brucellosis / drug therapy
  • Brucellosis / microbiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Discitis / diagnosis
  • Discitis / drug therapy
  • Discitis / microbiology*
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Rifampin / administration & dosage
  • Thoracic Vertebrae*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Doxycycline
  • Rifampin