[Spondylodiscitis and sacroiliitis due to Streptococcus agalactiae in adults: clinical case and literature review].
BACKGROUND
Streptococcus agalactiae is a well-known pathogen related with infection in newborns, and in women during pregnancy and the puerperium. In recent years it has been described as a causal agent in invasive disease in immunodepressed adults and those with other severe underlying pathologies.


METHODS
We describe a case of S. agalactiae spondylodiscitis and concomitant bilateral sacroiliitis in an adult with no known underlying diseases. A systematic review of the related literature was performed (MEDLINE and EMBASE, up to December 2003).


RESULTS
The literature search retrieved only 33 cases of spondylodiscitis (predominance in men, 55-70 years old) and 13 cases of sacroiliitis (higher frequency in women, 30-40 years old) due to S. agalactiae. Simultaneous involvement of both locations of the axial skeleton is unusual.


CONCLUSIONS
Spondylodiscitis and sacroiliitis due to S. agalactiae is uncommon. S. agalactiae is an emerging pathogen in adults outside of the gestational and perinatal period. This micro-organism produces spondylodiscitis in the adult population over 50 years old. In contrast, sacroiliac involvement is described mainly in women in the reproductive age.
Díaz-Gonzálvez
Eduardo
E
Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. Colmenar, km 9, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
Zarza
Beatriz
B
Abreu
Paloma
P
Cobo
Javier
J
Orte
Javier
J
Dronda
Fernando
F
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000382:microbiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000382:microbiology*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000382:microbiology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed