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Postoperative spondylodiskitis due to Stomatococcus mucilaginosus in an immunocompetent patient

Florence Bureau-Chalot1, Emmanuel Piednoir, Arnaud Bazin

  • 1Laboratory of Microbiology, Robert Debré Hospital, Reims, France. fbureauchalot@chu-reims.fr

Insights

Stomatococcus mucilaginosus, a bacterium, caused severe postoperative spondylodiskitis in an immunocompetent patient. This case highlights the potential for this organism to lead to serious infections even in individuals with robust immune systems.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Surgical Infections

Background:

  • Postoperative spondylodiskitis is a rare but serious complication following spinal surgery.
  • Stomatococcus mucilaginosus is a gram-positive coccus typically found in the oral cavity, rarely implicated in severe infections.

Observation:

  • A case of postoperative spondylodiskitis caused by Stomatococcus mucilaginosus in an immunocompetent woman is presented.
  • The exact route of infection could not be determined.
  • The patient received intravenous cefotaxime and fosfomycin, followed by oral rifampin and pristinamycin.

Findings:

  • Stomatococcus mucilaginosus can cause severe invasive infections, including spondylodiskitis, in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Successful treatment involved a combination of intravenous and oral antibiotics.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known spectrum of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus pathogenicity.
  • Clinicians should consider this bacterium in the differential diagnosis of postoperative spinal infections, regardless of immune status.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the pathogenesis and optimal management of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus infections.

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