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Retroperitoneal fibrosis secondary to spondylodiscitis after infection with Prevotella

Carine Salliot1, Frédéric Lavie, Alexandre Azria

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Bicêtre, Paris XI University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.

The Journal of Rheumatology
|May 4, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Severe retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) secondary to lumbar spondylodiscitis, caused by Prevotella infection, resolved with antibiotics. This case highlights an unusual bacterial cause of RPF, with Prevotella infection being previously undescribed in such cases.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nephrology
  • Urology

Background:

  • Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a condition characterized by inflammatory tissue in the retroperitoneum.
  • While often idiopathic or associated with malignancy or medication, infectious etiologies are rare.
  • The role of specific bacterial species in causing RPF remains incompletely understood.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with severe retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF).
  • The RPF was found to be secondary to lumbar spondylodiscitis.
  • Diagnostic investigations identified Prevotella, an anaerobic bacterium, as the causative infectious agent.

Findings:

  • Successful resolution of severe RPF was achieved following targeted antibiotic therapy.
  • The case demonstrates Prevotella as a causative agent in infectious RPF.
  • This represents the first reported instance of Prevotella-induced retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering infectious causes in RPF, even with unusual pathogens.
  • Suggests that prompt identification and antibiotic treatment can effectively manage infectious RPF.
  • Expands the spectrum of known infectious etiologies for retroperitoneal fibrosis.

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