OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of Brucellar spondylitis (BS) and provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 123 patients with BS admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from Jan. 1, 2015 to Jun. 30, 2024. The data included demographic characteristics, epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, imaging features and treatment regimens. The clinical characteristics of BS were summarized.

RESULTS Among the 123 patients with BS, there were 96 males and 27 females, with an average age of (59.19±11.71) years. The patients were predominantly farmers (74.80%), and 65.04% reported a history of livestock contact. All patients presented with local vertebral pain, mainly involving the lumbar region (56.10%), accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever (34.96%) and fatigue (95.12%). Laboratory tests showed an abnormal plateletocrit rate of 93.50%, an abnormal C-reactive protein rate of 87.80% and an abnormal erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 82.11%. Etiological examinations revealed a positive bacterial culture rate of 73.17%, with positive rates of 92.06% and 95.24% for the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test and tube agglutination test, respectively, and a total positive rate of 95.45% for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Imaging examinations found a total of 308 involved vertebrae, with an average of (2.50±1.06) vertebrae involved per patient. Lumbar vertebra involvement was the highest (82.11%) and 42.28% of patients had paravertebral abscesses. In terms of treatment, 45.53% of patients received comprehensive treatment with medication and surgery, and 91.06% achieved good outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS Patients in high-incidence areas of brucellosis may not have a clear history of livestock contact, and atypical cases should be kept vigilant. Blood routine tests, CRP and ESR often show abnormal manifestations in patients with BS. Lymphocyte count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio have certain reference values in assessing the extent of spinal involvement in patients.