NEUROBRUCELLOSIS IN CHILDHOOD - 6 NEW CASES AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Neurobrucellosis accounts for <1% of cases of brucellosis in children, Six new cases of neurobrucellosis are presented and data from 39 prev iously published cases are analysed. The incidence is equal in males a nd females, and the source of infection is likely to be unpasteurised milk. Clinical presentation varies from severe meningoencephalitis or peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy to behavioural disturbance. Diagno stic certainty requires isolation of the organism from the CSF, but as this is rarely possible serological diagnosis can be performed with t he Coombs test on the CSF. Treatment requires combination antibiotic t herapy and should continue for at least 8 weeks.