Staphylococcus lugdunensis vertebral osteomyelitis.
We report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis due to the coagulase-negative staphylococcus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis. This is only the second such case reported in the literature in an immunocompetent host. When the patient's lumbar spine inflammatory mass was drained, the coagulase-negative staphylococcus obtained was discarded as a likely contaminant. We discuss the situation when coagulase-negative staphylococci require further identification and look at the unique features of S. lugdunensis. Isolation of S. lugdunensis is usually significant, and the organism should not be discarded as a contaminant without careful consideration.
Greig
J M
JM
Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5SS, UKTel. drjmgreig@hotmail.com
Wood
M J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development*