Rapid diagnosis of human brucellosis by quantitative real-time PCR: a case report of brucellar spondylitis

Blood samples and a bone biopsy specimen from one patient diagnosed with spondylodiscitis of unknown etiology were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR to detect Brucella melitensis. The high sensitivity and specificity of this assay allowed the diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis within 24 h, a result that we were unable to obtain through the use of conventional methods.