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First case of osteomyelitis caused by "Staphylococcus pettenkoferi"
Caroline Loïez1, Frédéric Wallet, Patricia Pischedda
1Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Hygiène, Hôpital A. Calmette, F-59037 Lille Cedex, France. c-loiez@chru-lille.fr
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|January 5, 2007
Summary
A novel Staphylococcus species, Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, was identified as a rare cause of osteomyelitis in diabetic foot infections. Molecular sequencing confirmed this coagulase-negative staphylococcus, aiding diagnosis of the chronic condition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genomics
Background:
- Diabetic foot infections are complex and can lead to severe complications like osteomyelitis.
- Accurate identification of causative pathogens is crucial for effective treatment.
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci are common skin commensals but can cause opportunistic infections.
Observation:
- A case of chronic osteomyelitis in a diabetic foot infection presented diagnostic challenges.
- Standard phenotypic identification methods were insufficient to identify the etiological agent.
- The infection was suspected to be caused by an unusual staphylococcal species.
Findings:
- The bacterium was identified as a novel species, proposed name Staphylococcus pettenkoferi.
- Molecular techniques, specifically 16S rRNA gene and rpoB sequencing, were essential for accurate species identification.
- This coagulase-negative staphylococcus was confirmed as the causative agent of the chronic osteomyelitis.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known spectrum of staphylococcal pathogens causing human infections.
- Highlights the importance of molecular methods in identifying novel or difficult-to-identify bacteria.
- Improved diagnostic approaches may lead to better management of complex diabetic foot infections.
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