The goal of this observational case-control study is to assess the presence of Brucella antibodies in patients with low back pain who are at high risk for brucellosis exposure, such as those with animal contact or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. The main question it aims to answer is:

Is there a significant association between Brucella seropositivity and low back pain in high-risk individuals?

Researchers will compare patients with low back pain to age- and sex-matched healthy controls without back pain but with similar exposure risks, to see if Brucella antibodies are more frequent in the patient group.

Participants will:

Undergo a detailed clinical history and physical examination

Provide blood samples for serological testing using ELISA for Brucella IgG/IgM/IgA

Be evaluated for other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and joint pain

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults of any sex at high risk of Brucella exposure (e.g., contact with livestock or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products)
• Patients presenting with non-specific low back pain
• Willing and able to provide informed consen

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of tuberculosis (Pott's disease)
• Evidence of septic spondylitis
• Known metastatic bone lesions
• Known degenerative or autoimmune rheumatologic spinal diseases
• History of prior spinal surgery or trauma

Adults with high risk of Brucella exposure (e.g., animal contact or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products), including patients presenting with non-specific low back pain and healthy controls without back pain. Participants were recruited from outpatient clinics and inpatient wards at Assiut University Hospital.

I do not have specific consent from participants to share individual-level data.