A 45-year-old man complained of
recurrent low back pain and
fever for 2 wk. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar vertebrae showed abnormal signs at the rear of the L4-5 vertebral body. Serum
prostate-specific antigen level was 17.64 ng/mL, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography suggested the possibility of
prostate cancer with liver and lumbar
metastases. The patient was transferred to our department for further treatment. He experienced repeated bouts of
fever and
low back pain during hospitalization. Biopsy results indicated
prostatitis. There was no significant increase in white blood cell count or
procalcitonin levels. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis smear and antibody detection results were negative.
Cefoperazone sulbactam was not effective. Blood culture test results were positive for
brucellosis, confirming the diagnosis of
brucellosis. After oral anti-
infection treatment with
doxycycline and
rifampicin, the body temperature gradually returned to normal, and
lumbago improved. After continuous treatment for 6 mo, the patient recovered.
CONCLUSION: