Brucellosis: I just saw an episode of &quot;Mystery Diagnosis&quot;.  This lady  had lower back pain &amp; 3.5 years later had also developed  vertigo &amp; trouble walking.  She was finally diagnosed with this disease &amp; they later discovered she&#39;d had contracted it from her husband (via sexual contact).  He had been in South America on business &amp; had a fever &amp; some muscle pain while there.  He may have gotten it via eating or drinking something with the bacteria Brucella.