Brucellosis with rare complications and review of diagnostic tests: a case report

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. Osteoarticular complications, especially vertebral system involvement, are most commonly reported. However, reports and coreports of pulmonary complications and thoracal spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: Spondylodiscitis was detected at the T11–12 vertebral level, followed by epidural and paravertebral abscess, and then empyema was detected in a 17-year-old Asian female patient without any additional disease. The patient had used various antibiotics and the disease could not be proven bacteriologically. Also, the Rose Bengal test was negative. However, serologically high titer Brucella positivity was detected in the blood and pleural fluid sample. Drainage was required for bilateral empyema. Disease duration prolonged due to multiple complications. The patient was cured with combined long-term treatment for brucellosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although some are rare, brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that can cause many complications. The gold standard for diagnosis is the growth of bacteria in blood culture or tissue culture. However, isolation of the microorganism can be very difficult. Clinical suspicion and serological tests are important guides.