Vertebral osteomyelitis due to Pasteurella aerogenes

A case of C6-C7 vertebral osteomyelitis due to Pasteurella aerogenes in a previously healthy 62-y-old man in the absence of any history of animal exposure, debilitating disease or immunosuppression is reported. Culture testing of biopsy samples of the vertebral body using the panels and database of the BBL Crystal enteric/non-fermenter system revealed that the infecting bacterium was P. aerogenes. Treatment with cloxacillin and gentamicin was followed by resolution of bone infection on serial follow-up magnetic resonance imaging scans. Pasteurellae are primarily animal pathogens but are capable of producing a variety of local and systemic diseases in humans.