Dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case report

Abstract Background Anti-LGI1 encephalitis is a subtype of autoimmune encephalitis characterised by cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric disorders, faciobrachial dystonic seizures, and hyponatraemia. However, its precise pathogenesis remains unclear. Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease prevalent globally,...

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Main Authors: Chuyan Yang, Ying Liu, Yongzhong Lin, PeiYu Shi, Jing Tan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11361-z
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author Chuyan Yang
Ying Liu
Yongzhong Lin
PeiYu Shi
Jing Tan
author_facet Chuyan Yang
Ying Liu
Yongzhong Lin
PeiYu Shi
Jing Tan
author_sort Chuyan Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Anti-LGI1 encephalitis is a subtype of autoimmune encephalitis characterised by cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric disorders, faciobrachial dystonic seizures, and hyponatraemia. However, its precise pathogenesis remains unclear. Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease prevalent globally, poses a significant threat to public health; nevertheless, the nonspecific nature of its clinical symptoms often results in diagnostic delays. Case presentation We report the case of a middle-aged male patient diagnosed with anti-LGI1 antibody encephalitis through antibodies in serum and CSF combined with neurobrucellosis through serum antibodies and CSF NGS. Additional testing for paraneoplastic-related and demyelinating-related antibodies, CSF and blood culture yielded negative results, helping rule out other pathogens and etiologies. The patient exhibited symptom improvement after effective antimicrobial and immunomodulatory therapies. Conclusions This case raises awareness of autoimmune encephalitis following Brucella infection, revealing a potential association between Brucella infection and anti-LGI1 antibody encephalitis. Brucella may be a triggering factor for anti-LGI1 antibody encephalitis; however, more cases are needed to confirm our findings.
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institution DOAJ
issn 1471-2334
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
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series BMC Infectious Diseases
spelling doaj-art-1be1f14975194cf28cfd9c41f44b3c5a2025-08-20T03:04:15ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-07-012511610.1186/s12879-025-11361-zDual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case reportChuyan Yang0Ying Liu1Yongzhong Lin2PeiYu Shi3Jing Tan4The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityJiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., LtdThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityAbstract Background Anti-LGI1 encephalitis is a subtype of autoimmune encephalitis characterised by cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric disorders, faciobrachial dystonic seizures, and hyponatraemia. However, its precise pathogenesis remains unclear. Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease prevalent globally, poses a significant threat to public health; nevertheless, the nonspecific nature of its clinical symptoms often results in diagnostic delays. Case presentation We report the case of a middle-aged male patient diagnosed with anti-LGI1 antibody encephalitis through antibodies in serum and CSF combined with neurobrucellosis through serum antibodies and CSF NGS. Additional testing for paraneoplastic-related and demyelinating-related antibodies, CSF and blood culture yielded negative results, helping rule out other pathogens and etiologies. The patient exhibited symptom improvement after effective antimicrobial and immunomodulatory therapies. Conclusions This case raises awareness of autoimmune encephalitis following Brucella infection, revealing a potential association between Brucella infection and anti-LGI1 antibody encephalitis. Brucella may be a triggering factor for anti-LGI1 antibody encephalitis; however, more cases are needed to confirm our findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11361-zAnti-LGI1 encephalitisAutoimmune encephalitisNeurobrucellosisBrucellosisSeizures
spellingShingle Chuyan Yang
Ying Liu
Yongzhong Lin
PeiYu Shi
Jing Tan
Dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case report
BMC Infectious Diseases
Anti-LGI1 encephalitis
Autoimmune encephalitis
Neurobrucellosis
Brucellosis
Seizures
title Dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case report
title_full Dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case report
title_fullStr Dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case report
title_full_unstemmed Dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case report
title_short Dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and Anti-LGI1 encephalitis: a rare case report
title_sort dual diagnosis of neurobrucellosis and anti lgi1 encephalitis a rare case report
topic Anti-LGI1 encephalitis
Autoimmune encephalitis
Neurobrucellosis
Brucellosis
Seizures
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11361-z
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AT yingliu dualdiagnosisofneurobrucellosisandantilgi1encephalitisararecasereport
AT yongzhonglin dualdiagnosisofneurobrucellosisandantilgi1encephalitisararecasereport
AT peiyushi dualdiagnosisofneurobrucellosisandantilgi1encephalitisararecasereport
AT jingtan dualdiagnosisofneurobrucellosisandantilgi1encephalitisararecasereport