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Primary Sternal Osteomyelitis Caused by Actinomyces israelii
Jun Ho Lee1, Seok Chol Jeon2, Hyo-Jun Jang3
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine.
The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|February 24, 2015
Summary
Primary sternal osteomyelitis is rare. This case highlights Actinomyces israelii as a cause of sternal osteomyelitis, even without lung infection, expanding the known pathogens for this uncommon bone infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Osteomyelitis Research
- Microbiology
Background:
- Primary sternal osteomyelitis is an uncommon bone infection.
- Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are typical causative agents.
- Actinomyces species are oral cavity saprophytes, rarely implicated in sternal osteomyelitis.
Observation:
- A case of primary sternal osteomyelitis was identified.
- The causative organism was identified as Actinomyces israelii.
- The patient did not present with pulmonary involvement.
Findings:
- Actinomyces israelii can cause primary sternal osteomyelitis.
- This presentation occurred without associated lung infection.
- This case expands the spectrum of pathogens for sternal osteomyelitis.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider Actinomyces species in the differential diagnosis of sternal osteomyelitis.
- Further research may elucidate the pathogenesis of Actinomyces-induced sternal osteomyelitis.
- This case underscores the importance of identifying rare pathogens in bone infections.
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