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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
PubMed

Insights

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.
Keywords:
ActinomycosisInfectionOsteomyelitisSternum

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