2025 ICD-10-CM code A23.9
Brucellosis, unspecified.
Medical necessity for diagnostic testing and treatment of brucellosis is established by the clinical presentation of symptoms suggestive of the infection, as well as potential exposure history.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms, history, physical examination, and laboratory tests (blood, urine, spinal fluid cultures, or bone marrow culture). Treatment involves antibiotics.Patient education focuses on prevention through avoiding consumption of unpasteurized dairy or undercooked meat and taking precautions when handling animals.
In simple words: This code indicates that you have brucellosis, also known as Malta fever, Mediterranean fever, or undulant fever, but the specific type of bacteria causing the infection hasn't been identified.Brucellosis is an infection you can get from animals.
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella.This code specifies that the causative organism has not been identified.Transmission typically occurs through ingestion of unpasteurized dairy or undercooked meat from infected animals, inhalation, or direct contact through skin breaks.Symptoms can include fever, sweats, fatigue, malaise, anorexia, headache, and arthralgia. Neurologic and psychiatric symptoms can also occur.
Example 1: A patient presents with fever, fatigue, and joint pain.Blood tests reveal Brucella antibodies, but the specific species is not identified.The physician documents "Brucellosis, unspecified.", A butcher develops fever, chills, and muscle aches after handling raw meat. Brucellosis is suspected, but further testing to identify the specific Brucella species is not performed. A23.9 is coded., A traveler returning from a region where brucellosis is endemic presents with prolonged fever and malaise.The diagnosis of brucellosis is made clinically, but laboratory confirmation of the species is unavailable.
Documentation should include signs and symptoms, history of potential exposure (e.g., consumption of unpasteurized dairy, contact with animals), laboratory findings (positive cultures or serology), and clinical diagnosis of brucellosis. If the specific Brucella species is identified through laboratory testing, a more specific code (A23.0-A23.8) should be used.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital