To describe the clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria and evaluated antibiotic combinations of patients with neurobrucellosis.

The clinical data of 10 patients with neurobrucellosis treated in Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University from September 2008 to July 2014 were analyzed, retrospectively.

The majority of the patients with neurobrucellosis were young male. All patients had certain contact history of the source of infection of brucellosis. Meningitis and meningoencephalitis were the main clinical manifestations. Brucella blood serum agglutination test were positive in 10 cases. There were 6 patients underwent Brucella cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) agglutination test, 4 cases were positive. All cases underwent lumbar puncture. Increased CSF pressure were detected in 7 cases. Analysis of CSF revealed increased cell number (mainly for the monocyte) in 9 cases, protein increased in 9 cases and decreased glucose in 5 cases. All patients were given initial therapy and sequential therapy. The initial treatment regimen was composed of triple or quadruple drugs, based on doxycycline and rifampin, combined with one or two components of the three generation cephalosporin, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and quinolones. Sequential treatment were with long course of doxycycline and rifampin. The average duration were longer than six months.

The clinical presentation of neurobrucellsis varies greatly. The majority of the patients had favorable prognosis, while fewer patients might have sequel. The combined treatment by antibiotics of different pharmacological mechanisms with full dose and long course is effective.