Propionibacterium acnes and SAPHO syndrome: a case report and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the presence of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in a series of patients with SAPHO syndrome in which a bone biopsy has been carried out and to discuss the results comparing them to the data described in the literature.


METHODS
In 6 out of 56 patients with SAPHO syndrome, a bone biopsy from osteitic lesion was carried out. This invasive investigation was performed only in those cases in which it was necessary to clarify the diagnosis.


RESULTS
Of the 6 biopsies processed, P. acnes was isolated in only one case. No other infectious agents were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
P. acnes is not often found in bone lesions of SAPHO syndrome. A bone biopsy may represent a procedure useful for corroborating the diagnosis or for excluding other diseases only in specific cases.
Colina
M
M
Sezione di Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, and Dipartimento di Patologia ed Oncologia, Azienda Ospedaliera/Universitaria Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Ferrara, Italy. teocolina@libero.it
Lo Monaco
A
A
Khodeir
M
M
Trotta
F
F
D020083:Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010000:Osteitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013249:Sternum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology