Brucellar spondylodiscitis in the lumbar region: Case report

Abstract

A 59-year-old male farmer presented with a rare case of spondylodiscitis as a manifestation of systemic brucellosis. The patient presented with radicular pain and restricted mobility of the spine due to localized muscle spasm in addition to systemic complaints. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated discovertebral involvement at the L4-5 intervertebral space, indicating infectious spondylodiscitis. The Rose-Bengal test was positive and the serum antibody titer was 1/1280. The patient was treated with streptomycin combined with tetracycline plus rifampicin, with complete recovery. Early diagnosis is important and prompt antibrucellar chemotherapy is effective in most cases. Therefore, spondylodiscitis due to brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal infections.