Group B streptococcal vertebral osteomyelitis in an adult.
Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) vertebral osteomyelitis was diagnosed in a 65-year-old man. The patient received a 3-week course of in-hospital intravenous ampicillin followed by ceftriaxone and continued to receive ceftriaxone therapy on an ambulatory basis for 3 more weeks. Hospitalization and follow-up were uncomplicated with no neurological sequelae. Review of the medical literature documented only 15 cases of group B streptococcal osteomyelitis in adults and only three cases of vertebral osteomyelitis due to this pathogen. As in most adult patients with group B streptococcal infections, the patient had coexisting chronic conditions (chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes mellitus) but bacteremia was not present. Although uncommon, group B streptococcus should be considered as an opportunistic pathogen in patients with debilitating conditions, but vertebral osteomyelitis is even rarer.
Elhanan
G
G
Infectious Diseases Unit, Central Emek Hospital, Afula, Israel.
Raz
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D002443:Ceftriaxone; D000667:Ampicillin