[VERTEBRAL OSTEOMYELITIS CAUSED BY RARE PATHOGENS--THE NEED FOR HIGH INDEX OF SUSPICION].
Vertebral OsteomyeLitis (V.O.) is a rare event that usually presents insidiously and follows an indolent clinical course, making early diagnosis difficult. The most important infecting organism in V.O. is Staphylococcus aureus, followed by gram-negative bacilli. We describe herein two cases of V.O. hospitalized in our department during the same week, caused by rare pathogens--Streptococcus sanguis (viridans) and Bacteroides fragilis. V.O. must be recognized rapidly because delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in neurologic compromise and high mortality. Its prompt and accurate diagnosis depends on detailed knowledge of the disease along with a high index of suspicion, even in face of rare pathogens on bacteriology results.
Gil
G
Lavie
Michal
M
Feldhaim
Gabriel
G
Weber
Shai
S
Cohen
D000368:Aged; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000302:isolation & purification*