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Neurobrucellosis as an exceptional cause of transient ischemic attacks
Author(s) -
Bingöl A.,
TogayIşıkay C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2006.01286.x
Subject(s) - medicine , brucellosis , stroke (engine) , brucella , systemic vasculitis , endocarditis , vasculitis , serology , embolism , infective endocarditis , ischemic stroke , pediatrics , dermatology , cardiology , ischemia , immunology , disease , antibody , mechanical engineering , engineering
We report a series of four cases presented with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or ischemic stroke as the predominant manifestation of neurobrucellosis (NB). Three of the patients were 20–28 years of age, and one patient was 53 years old. They all used to consume unpasteurized milk or its products. Two patients had systemic brucellosis in the past and received antibiotic treatment. Other causes of TIA including cardiac embolism, hypercoagulability, vascular malformations, systemic vasculitis, and infective endocarditis were excluded. NB was diagnosed with serological tests or cultures for Brucella in the cerebrospinal fluid. None of the patients had any further TIA after the initiation of specific treatment. NB should always be sought in young patients with TIA or ischemic stroke, especially if they have no risk factors for stroke and live in an endemic area for brucellosis, even if they do not have other systemic signs of brucellosis.