Spinal epidural abscess caused by Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella amnii

We report a case of spinal epidural abscess (SEA) in a 58-year-old woman who had recently been diagnosed with gonococcal infection, but did not receive guideline-recommended therapy. She presented with back pain and signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). MRI of the spine demonstrated epidural abscess extending from L4-L5 to T10. She underwent T10-L1 and L3-L4 laminectomies for evacuation of the abscess and Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella amnii were isolated from the abscess fluid cultures. Our case demonstrates SEA as a rare, but morbid complication of PID and highlights the pathogenic potential of the anaerobic flora associated with PID.