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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
06:23
Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Bacteraemic spondylodiscitis caused by Enterococcus hirae
E Canalejo1, R Ballesteros, J Cabezudo
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Fuenlabrada, Camino del Molino, 2, 28942, Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain. ecanalejo@jazzfree.com
Summary
Enterococcus hirae is a rare cause of human infection. This report details the first case of E. hirae spondylodiscitis with associated abscesses, highlighting the need for awareness of this pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Enterococcus hirae is a bacterium typically found in animals, rarely causing human infections.
- Human infections with E. hirae are exceptionally uncommon, with limited documented cases.
- Spondylodiscitis, an infection of the spine and intervertebral discs, can have severe complications.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus presented with symptoms suggestive of spinal infection.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed spondylodiscitis complicated by an anterior epidural abscess and multiple psoas abscesses.
- Cultures identified the causative agent as Enterococcus hirae.
Findings:
- This case represents the first documented instance of Enterococcus hirae causing spondylodiscitis in a human.
- The patient required surgical intervention despite receiving appropriate antimicrobial treatment.
- This finding expands the known spectrum of human infections caused by E. hirae.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider Enterococcus hirae in the differential diagnosis of rare spinal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- This case underscores the importance of microbiological identification for guiding effective treatment strategies.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathogenicity and clinical manifestations of E. hirae in humans.
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