Spinal brucellosis: case report in the United States.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To increase awareness of spinal brucellosis and discuss demographics, diagnosis, and treatment.


BACKGROUND
Brucellosis is a rare cause of spinal infections in the United States, although there have been regional increases in its prevalence.


METHODS
Retrospective review of a patient with spinal brucellosis. She underwent a protracted course of treatment, with a long delay in diagnosis. History ultimately revealed regular consumption of unpasteurized goat cheese. Appropriate testing subsequently led to the diagnosis.


RESULTS
After multiple surgeries and medications, the condition responded well to definitive antibiotic therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Brucellosis is rare in the United States and thus often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of back pain. The changing risk pattern for this disease requires a high index of suspicion, which can result in early diagnosis and predictably favorable results to treatment.
Reitman
Charles A
CA
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Watters
William C
WC
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017347:Brucella melitensis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002611:Cheese / Q000382:microbiology; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin