CSF: cerebrospinal fluid

MRI: magnetic resonance imaging

CT-TAP: computed tomography of thorax abdomen pelvis

Since its first description by David Bruce in 1887, brucellosis has been a worldwide widespread anthropozoonosis. It has an incidence of around 500 000 new cases a year [1]. Neurological complications are rare and can be confused with other neurological disorders [2]. Herein we report two cases of neurobrucellosis with different clinical presentations.

The first case is a 29-year-old man who consulted for a 6-month history of frontal headache without vomiting, blurred vision nor fever. A few weeks later, he reported a progressive diplopia, radiculalgia, asthenia and weight loss. Clinical examination revealed bilateral abducens nerve paresis and brisk tendon reflexes. T1 gadolinium brain and spinal cord MRI showed leptomeningeal enhancement (Figure 1). Complete blood count and C-reactive protein levels were normal. Rose Bengal serological screening was positive. Opening pressure was normal at lumbar puncture. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed 800 cells/µL with lymphocytes predominence (95%), low glucose levels (1.5 mmol/L) and high protein levels (11 g/L). CSF culture isolated a Brucella spp. Positive CSF Brucella-specific IgG antibodies titers were significant (1/160). Electromyoneurography identified L5 lumbar radiculopathy. Associated systemic investigations including computed tomography of thorax abdomen pelvis (CT-TAP) and echocardiography were normal. He received a combined antibiotic therapy (rifampicin 600 mg twice a day, doxycycline 100 mg twice a day) for 12 months. He also received dexamethasone (0.4 mg/kg/d) with an oral relay of corticosteroids. There was no significant clinical improvement and the patient developed erectile dysfunction later.

The second patient is a 26-year-old man who consulted for a 9-month history of urinary incontinence, dysuria, and gait disturbance. Three months later, he developed progressive limbs weakness and hearing loss. No fever was reported. Clinical examination showed a spastic paraparesis, brisk tendon reflexes with bilateral Babinski sign, horizontal nystagmus and hearing loss. T1 gadolinium brain MRI revealed bilateral enhancement of the acoustic-facial bundle associated to leptomeningeal enhancement. Spinal cord imaging was normal (Figure 2). Blood inflammation markers were normal. Serological blood screening were positive for Brucella antibodies. CSF analysis revealed a lymphocytic pleocytosis (45 cells/µL), low glucose (1 mmol/L) and high protein levels (2.25 g/L). CSF Brucella-specific antibodies were positive. CSF culture isolated Brucella spp. The patient's audiogram showed moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing disability (Figure 3). The CT-TAP and echocardiography, as well as systemic investigations, were normal. An intravenous combined antibiotic therapy (rifampicin 600 mg twice a day, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 200 mg per day) associated with dexamethasone (0.4 mg/kg/d) were prescribed followed by oral relay. The antibiotic therapy was maintained for 12 months. The patient had as sequelae a paraparesis and a bladder dysfunction.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that is still endemic in many areas. In Tunisia, brucellosis has increased in prevalence since the past 20 years [3]. It is transmitted from livestock to humans by eating or drinking contaminated animal products or with a direct contact with infected animals. However, in most cases, the way of transmission is not identifiable; as is the case for our patients. The most common symptoms include: fever, general deterioration, arthralgia and myalgia [1]. Fever, though common, is not constantly observed, as it is the case of our patients. Neurological involvement in systemic brucellosis is rare and the incidence is around 0.5% to 25% [2]. It can occur at any stage of the disease, and involve both the central and peripheral nervous system. A broad clinical spectrum of neurobrucellosis is described by Petra et al. in a series of 221 patients [4]. Hearing loss is reported as a common clinical feature, present in 25.8% of cases. Abducens nerve palsy was observed in 8% of patients. Polyradiculopathy and paraparesis were described as major complications of neurobrucellosis (present in 6.8% and 4.5% of patients respectively). Neurobrucellosis’ diagnosis is based on clinical features, imaging and biological findings. Isolation of bacteria from blood and/or CSF is the gold standard for positive diagnosis. However, culture positivity is observed in less than 50% of cases [2,4]. Brain and/or spinal cord MRI can be normal or show inflammatory white matter signs, vascular changes, leptomeningeal, cranial nerve or radicular gadolinium enhancement, granulomatous lesions or abscesses [5]. According to the World Health Organization, therapeutic options should include doxycycline (100 mg twice a day) in association with streptomycin (1 g daily) or rifampicin at 15 mg/kg/day (600-900 mg per day). Ceftriaxone or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can be used due to their good diffusion in the CSF. The duration of treatment depends on the clinical presentation and varies from 3 to 12 months depending on the CNS involvement [4]. The first patient received a combined antibiotic therapy with rifampicin and doxycycline and the second one with rifampicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The use of corticosteroids is reserved for complicated neurobrucellosis cases including iritis, papilledema, myelopathy, polyneuropathy, and/or cranial nerve palsies [1]. Neurobrucellosis has a low rate of mortality (1%) but sequelae are unfortunately frequent and are related to the delay in diagnosis and treatment [4] as it is the case for our patients.

Neurobrucellosis is an infectious disease with a broad clinical spectrum that is often difficult to diagnose. Our cases highlight the possibility of cranial nerves' involvement, mainly abducens and chocleovestibular, as potential clinical presentations. Neurobrucellosis should be especially considered in endemic areas, even in the absence of fever or any obvious mode of transmission. Early diagnosis is important and may prevent irreversible sequalae.

Declaration of interest. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding. None.

[1] Bouferraa Y, Bou Zerdan M, Hamouche R, Azar E, Afif C, Jabbour R. Neurobrucellosis: Brief review. Neurologist. 2021;26(6):248-52. https://doi.org/10.1097/NRL.0000000000000348

[2] Dreshaj S, Shala N, Dreshaj G, Ramadani N, Ponosheci A. Clinical manifestations in 82 neurobrucellosis patients from Kosovo. Mater Sociomed. 2016;28(6):408-11. https://doi.org/10.5455%2Fmsm.2016.28.408-411

[3] Lounes N, Cherfa M-A, Le Carrou G, Bouyoucef A, Jay M, Garin-Bastuji B, et al. Human brucellosis in Maghreb: existence of a lineage related to socio-historical connections with Europe. PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e115319. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0115319

[4] Patra S, Kalwaje Eshwara V, Pai AR, Varma M, Mukhopadhyay C. Evaluation of clinical, diagnostic features and therapeutic outcome of neurobrucellosis: a case series and review of literature. Int J Neurosci. 2021;132(11):1080-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207454.2020.1860969

[5] Erdem H, Senbayrak S, Meriç K, Batirel A, Karahocagil MK, Hasbun R, et al. Cranial imaging findings in neurobrucellosis: results of Istanbul-3 study. Infection. 2016;44(5):623-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-016-0901-3