Neurobrucellosis: A neglected entity? An update from tertiary care Neurocentre of South East Asia

Abstract Neurobrucellosis is the most serious complication of brucellosis with neither a typical clinical manifestations nor a specific cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) picture and mimics other neurological disorders leading to diagnostic dilemma. The prevalence of Neurobrucellosis ranges from 1.7 to 10% of brucellosis worldwide. This present study highlights the integrated diagnostic and clinical approaches in the diagnosis of neurobrucellosis. Cases with neurological abnormalities associated with abnormal CSF findings were included in the study. Serum and CSF samples were subjected to Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), standard tube agglutination test (STAT), indirect Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) for IgM & IgG antibodies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect BCSP31 gene. Out of 473 cases, 278 (58.8%) were positive in serum and/or CSF by any of the methods. Out of 278, Only IgM anti-brucella antibody was positive in 105 (22.19%) cases. 122 (25.79%) cases were positive by any of the diagnostic methods in serum and not in CSF whereas 51(10.78%) cases were positive in serum and CSF and these 51 cases were considered as Neurobrucellosis among patients presenting with neurological illness. Chronic meningitis was the most common form of presentation. Multimodal differential diagnostic approaches are crucial for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with neurobrucellosis.