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Discitis and Clostridium perfringens bacteraemia

Chen Han Yong1,2, Miranda Lam1,2

  • 1Division of Medical Sub-Specialties, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, South Australia, Australia.

BMJ Case Reports
|July 28, 2017
PubMed

Insights

This case report highlights a rare instance of infectious discitis caused by Clostridium perfringens bacteremia. Prompt antibiotic treatment led to a favorable outcome, emphasizing timely diagnosis and intervention for spinal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Spinal Infections
  • Bacteremia

Background:

  • Discitis and osteomyelitis diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms.
  • Clostridium perfringens bacteremia is a rare but serious condition.
  • Spinal infections require prompt and accurate diagnosis for effective management.

Observation:

  • An 80-year-old male presented with infectious T10/T11 discitis following Clostridium perfringens bacteraemia.
  • Despite extensive investigations, the specific causative agent for discitis remained unidentified.

Findings:

  • Intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam was administered, resulting in a positive clinical response.
  • The patient achieved a favorable clinical outcome following treatment.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering Clostridium perfringens in spinal infections.
  • Timely empirical antimicrobial therapy, guided by patient stability, is essential for maximizing microbiological yield in suspected discitis/osteomyelitis.
Keywords:
infectious diseases

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