• Charles A Reitman and William C Watters.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
• Spine. 2002 May 1;27(9):E250-2.

Study DesignCase report.ObjectiveTo increase awareness of spinal brucellosis and discuss demographics, diagnosis, and treatment.Summary Of Background DataBrucellosis is a rare cause of spinal infections in the United States, although there have been regional increases in its prevalence.MethodsRetrospective review of a patient with spinal brucellosis. She underwent a protracted course of treatment, with a long delay in diagnosis. History ultimately revealed regular consumption of unpasteurized goat cheese. Appropriate testing subsequently led to the diagnosis.ResultsAfter multiple surgeries and medications, the condition responded well to definitive antibiotic therapy.ConclusionBrucellosis is rare in the United States and thus often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of back pain. The changing risk pattern for this disease requires a high index of suspicion, which can result in early diagnosis and predictably favorable results to treatment.

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