Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess

Brucellosis is an endemic disease in developing countries. The most commonly observed complications include bone-joint involvement, particularly sacroiliitis and spondylitis. Epidural abscesses caused by brucellosis are a rare complication. We describe the case of a 33-year-old man presenting with...

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Main Authors: Şükran Köse, Süheyla Serin Senger, Gülsün Çavdar, Sibel Yavaş
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2011-03-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1470
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author Şükran Köse
Süheyla Serin Senger
Gülsün Çavdar
Sibel Yavaş
author_facet Şükran Köse
Süheyla Serin Senger
Gülsün Çavdar
Sibel Yavaş
author_sort Şükran Köse
collection DOAJ
description Brucellosis is an endemic disease in developing countries. The most commonly observed complications include bone-joint involvement, particularly sacroiliitis and spondylitis. Epidural abscesses caused by brucellosis are a rare complication. We describe the case of a 33-year-old man presenting with high fever, back pain, and weakness. At physical examination, the patient was found to be paraparetic. At thoracic MRI, spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess with significant cord compression were observed. In laboratory examinations, Rose Bengal and tube agglutination tests were positive in patient's serum for brucellosis, and specific antibiotherapy was initiated. Total laminectomy was performed and the abscess was aspirated. The biopsy sample was consistent with chronic non-specific inflammation in acute abscess. No growth was detected in the abscess or blood cultures. Following surgery, medical treatment was initiated and, at six weeks' follow-up, clinical and MRI findings indicated that he had recovered. The diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess due to brucellosis should be considered among differential diagnoses in endemic regions. Early diagnosis and specific treatment are important to prevent later complications. 
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spelling doaj-art-e8bc6bd9723b41acb63a78a72b6374102025-08-20T02:27:23ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802011-03-0150510.3855/jidc.1470Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscessŞükran Köse0Süheyla Serin Senger1Gülsün Çavdar2Sibel Yavaş3Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, TurkeyInfectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, TurkeyInfectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, TurkeyInfectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey Brucellosis is an endemic disease in developing countries. The most commonly observed complications include bone-joint involvement, particularly sacroiliitis and spondylitis. Epidural abscesses caused by brucellosis are a rare complication. We describe the case of a 33-year-old man presenting with high fever, back pain, and weakness. At physical examination, the patient was found to be paraparetic. At thoracic MRI, spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess with significant cord compression were observed. In laboratory examinations, Rose Bengal and tube agglutination tests were positive in patient's serum for brucellosis, and specific antibiotherapy was initiated. Total laminectomy was performed and the abscess was aspirated. The biopsy sample was consistent with chronic non-specific inflammation in acute abscess. No growth was detected in the abscess or blood cultures. Following surgery, medical treatment was initiated and, at six weeks' follow-up, clinical and MRI findings indicated that he had recovered. The diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess due to brucellosis should be considered among differential diagnoses in endemic regions. Early diagnosis and specific treatment are important to prevent later complications.  https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1470Spinal Epidural AbscessBrucellosisSpondylodiscitis
spellingShingle Şükran Köse
Süheyla Serin Senger
Gülsün Çavdar
Sibel Yavaş
Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
Spinal Epidural Abscess
Brucellosis
Spondylodiscitis
title Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess
title_full Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess
title_fullStr Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess
title_full_unstemmed Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess
title_short Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess
title_sort case report on the development of a brucellosis related epidural abscess
topic Spinal Epidural Abscess
Brucellosis
Spondylodiscitis
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1470
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