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An Uncommon Case of Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Caused by Gemella morbillorum

Takashi Sono1, Mitsuru Takemoto1, Koh Shinohara2

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto City Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.

Case Reports in Orthopedics
|September 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Severe back pain in an elderly patient was caused by Gemella morbillorum spondylodiscitis. Prompt diagnosis and penicillin G treatment led to successful recovery without surgery, highlighting an uncommon pathogen

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Spinal Infections
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Spondylodiscitis is a serious spinal infection.
  • Common pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species.
  • Gemella morbillorum is a rare cause of spinal infections.

Observation:

  • An 81-year-old male presented with severe back pain.
  • MRI revealed L5/S discitis.
  • No epidural abscess was detected.

Findings:

  • Cultures identified Gemella morbillorum as the causative agent.
  • E-test provided rapid antibiotic susceptibility results.
  • Intravenous penicillin G was an effective treatment.

Implications:

  • Gemella morbillorum should be considered in spondylodiscitis cases.
  • Rapid susceptibility testing aids timely treatment.
  • Non-surgical management can be successful for this condition.

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