Neurobrucellosis as a rare complication of brucellosis: three pediatric case reports

Brucellosis is a major worldwide zoonosis. The disease is endemic in developing countries, particularly in the Mediterranean basin. Brucellosis is frequently seen in Eastern and South-Eastern Anatolia regions in Turkey. Around 18 000 new cases are reported annually in Turkey. Any organ or system of the body can be involved. Brucellosis is an infection due to Brucella species and is characterized by acute febrile illness, sweating, weakness, and headache. Involvement of the central nervous system is rare in brucellosis. Brucella is continuing to be an important health problem especially who live in the countryside. The clinicians usually rule out neurobrucellosis in the differential diagnosis of brucellosis. The three neurobrucellosis cases presented in this paper referred with various non-specific symptoms. Only the first patient was found to have hydrocephalus on CT imaging, while the CT images of the other patients were normal. The second case had a history of consumption of fresh herby cheese, however the other cases had no such history. These three patients were found to have recovered without sequela during their long term follow up. The aim of this presentation is to draw attention to the importance of neurobrucellosis especially in endemic regions including our country. (Turk Arch Ped 2012; 47: 218-21)