Fusobacterium spondylodiscitis: case report and literature review.
Fusobacteria are obligate anaerobic bacilli residing in the oral cavity, female genital tract, and intestine. These pathogens are typical components of head, neck, and abdominal abscesses due to contiguous spread from adjacent mucosal surfaces. They are unusual etiologies, however, of bone and joint infections, particularly outside the cranial region. We report an unusual case of hematogenous lumbar spondylodiscitis caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum of suspected odontogenic origin.
University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Louisville, KY 40292USA; University of Utah, Associated Regional and University Pathologists, Division of Microbiology, Salt Lake City, UT 84108USA. Electronic address: allen.griffin@aruplab.com.
Allen T
AT
Griffin
University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Louisville, KY 40292USA.
Diana
D
Christensen
D000328:Adult; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
Discitis; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Vertebral osteomyelitis