Iranian Journal of Child Neurology

Abstract

How to Cite This Article: Abdinia B, Barzegar M, Maleki M, Behbod H, Oskoui Sh. Association of Brucella Meningoencephalitis with Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt in a Child: a Case Report. Iran J Child Neurol. 2013 Winter:7(1):35-38.

Brucellosis is an endemic zoonosis in Iran. It is a systemic infection that can involve any organs or systems of the body and have variable presentations. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections due to brucellosis have been rarely reported in the literatures.

This  is  the  history  of  a  four  years  old  boy  who  developed  Brucella meningoencephalitis at the age of 42 months, whilst he had a VP shunt in situ for hydrocephalus treatment. Also, he presented brucellosis as acute abdomen. This patient was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin and rifampicin. The shunt was extracted and all clinical and laboratory test abnormalities subsided through this management.

We propose that in a patient with Brucella meningoencephalitis, the cerebrospinal  fluid shunt  system  can  be  extracted  and  treatment  with appropriate combination of antibiotics could be successful. Moreover, it shows that brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for acute abdomen and ascites in endemic regions.

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