Brucellar spondylodiscitis: a rare cause of back pain – a case report

Abstract

Human brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonotic infections worldwide and is caused by brucella species, which are facultative intracellular gram-negative coccobacilli. The disease can involve multiple organ systems, with osteoarticular manifestations being the most frequent focal complication. Among these, spinal involvement is clinically important because it often presents with nonspecific symptoms and can mimic other infectious or neoplastic disorders, leading to delayed diagnosis. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with intermittent fever and persistent low back pain and was subsequently diagnosed with spinal brucellosis. Although the mortality associated with brucellosis is low, delayed recognition may result in significant morbidity, prolonged disability, and neurological complications. In regions where tuberculosis is highly prevalent, brucellar spondylitis is frequently overlooked because of its close clinical and radiological resemblance to tuberculous spondylitis. Therefore, spinal brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with fever and back pain, particularly in endemic areas, to facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.