title: Aspergillus spondylitis in immunocompetent patients.
abstract: Four immunocompetent patients with neurological deficit underwent anterior decompression for Aspergillus osteomyelitis of the spine. All patients improved neurologically following anterior spinal decompression and antifungal therapy. This study emphasizes the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis as these unusual infections may mimic tuberculosis, which is more common.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. katia@med.und.ac.za
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents