PDF icon Download PDF
J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021; 82(02): 186-188
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1720981
Case Report

Atypical Presentation of Neurobrucellosis as Infection of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Raul-Ciprian Covrig
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Johannes Wesling Hospital, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Minden, Germany
,
Jasmina Petridou
2   Institute for Microbiology, Hospital Hygiene and Transfusion Medicine, Johannes Wesling Hospital, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Minden, Germany
,
Ulrich J. Knappe
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Johannes Wesling Hospital, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Minden, Germany
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available ateRefMedOne
   Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

Brucellosis is a frequent zoonosis in some regions of the world and may cause various symptoms. Neurobrucellosis is a rare but serious complication of the infection. Our case report describes the course of neurobrucellosis in a patient who had received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in his native country 13 years prior to diagnosis of brucellosis. He initially presented to us with symptoms of peritonitis, which misled us to perform abdominal surgery first. After the diagnosis of neurobrucellosis was confirmed and appropriate antibiotics were initiated, the symptoms soon disappeared. Although the ventriculoperitoneal shunt was subsequently removed, the patient did not develop a symptomatic hydrocephalus further on. This case displays the challenges in diagnosing an infection that occurred sporadically in Europe and may be missed by currently applied routine microbiological workup. Considering the political context, with increasing relocation from endemic areas to European countries, it is to be expected that the cases of brucellosis and neurobrucellosis will rise. Brucellosis should be considered and adequate investigations should be performed.

Keywords

neurobrucellosis - ventriculoperitoneal shunt - peritonitis


Publication History

Received: 29 May 2020

Accepted: 07 July 2020

Article published online:
05 December 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany