Neurobrucellosis presenting as clinically definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Purpose/Aim: We describe the first case of a patient with neurobrucellosis presenting with clinically-definite ALS.

Material and methods: A 48-year old male patient, in whom the diagnoses of systemic brucellosis and clinically definite ALS were undoubtedly confirmed and were eventually causally interrelated. The disease-specific antibiotic therapy was unsuccessful to slow the evolution of the motor neuron disease and the patient became non ambulatory over time.

Results: Considering the close temporal association of ALS onset with the systemic Brucella infection and consequent antigenic stimuli, we might suggest that human brucellosis might have triggered a process of motor neuron degeneration in keeping with neurobrucellosis, primarily due to parainfectious mechanism.

Conclusion: Our case helps to shed light on the factors that may trigger or only fasten motor neuron disease manifestations.

KEYWORDS:

• ALS
• degeneration
• brucellosis
• neurobrucellosis
• parainfectious mechanism

Disclosure statement

We have no conflicts of interest. No funding source had a role in the preparation of this paper or in the decision to submit it for publication.