title: Vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae.
abstract: Streptococcus agalactiae is a rare cause of vertebral osteomyelitis. We present four cases of spondylitis caused by this micro-organism and a review of 20 cases previously described in the literature. Only seven patients (29%) were under 50 years of age. Diabetes mellitus and neoplasms were the most frequent underlying conditions, although 37.5% of the patients did not have any predisposition. Neck or back pain was the most common symptom. Diagnosis depended mainly on magnetic resonance imaging. Blood cultures were positive in 50% of the patients. The duration of antibiotic therapy was 6 weeks for most patients. The outcome was favourable, with none of the patients suffering serious sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Albacete General Hospital, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Solís-Garcia del Pozo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinez-Alfaro
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abad
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Solera
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D000368:Aged; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016239:MEDLINE; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D005839:Gentamicins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D010406:Penicillins; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000667:Ampicillin; D002437:Cefazolin