[Pasteurella dagmatis: an unusual cause of vertebral osteomyelitis]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Vertebral osteomyelitis is a serious spinal infection, often presenting as back pain in adults.
• While various bacteria can cause this condition, Pasteurella species are infrequent culprits.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications.

Observation:

• A 60-year-old male with diabetes mellitus presented with symptoms suggestive of spinal infection.
• Diagnostic workup revealed vertebral osteomyelitis, a rare manifestation of infection in the spine.
• The causative organism was identified as Pasteurella dagmatis, an uncommon pathogen in this context.

Findings:

• The patient developed consecutive cauda equina syndrome, a neurological emergency, secondary to the vertebral osteomyelitis.
• This case underscores the potential for Pasteurella dagmatis to cause severe spinal infections.
• The co-occurrence of vertebral osteomyelitis and cauda equina syndrome highlights the aggressive nature of this infection.

Implications:

• This report expands the spectrum of Pasteurella dagmatis infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals like diabetics.
• It emphasizes the importance of considering rare pathogens in vertebral osteomyelitis, especially when standard treatments are ineffective.
• Prompt recognition and management of Pasteurella-induced vertebral osteomyelitis are vital to avert neurological deficits such as cauda equina syndrome.