Brucellar psychosis

Abstract

The cognitive and mood disorders among neurobrucellosis patients are well documented. While neurobrucellosis is typically diagnosed by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and detected specific antibodies in CSF, it is prudent to consider any case with unexplained psychological or mental disorder in the course of an active brucellosis as brucellar psychosis. The psychological manifestations of brucellosis can present in various clinical forms, and prompt antibrucellar antibiotic therapy should be started following the diagnosis of the infection by strong serological tests and/or isolation of the organism. The subject is especially concerning in the endemic areas where brucellosis is prevalent or whenever there is a history of exposure to Brucella species. The psychotic manifestations of a patient with active brucellosis improve by antibrucellar treatment, even without antipsychotic therapy.