Lawsonella clevelandensis causing spinal subdural empyema.

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Lawsonella clevelandensis is a recently identified bacterium.
• Human infections with this organism are rare, with limited documented cases.
• Understanding its clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges is crucial.

Observation:

• A 2-year-old girl presented with an infected spinal dermoid cyst.
• The infection was caused by Lawsonella clevelandensis, a fastidious organism.
• Diagnosis was complicated by difficulties in culturing the bacterium, necessitating molecular methods.

Findings:

• This report details the seventh worldwide and first UK case of human Lawsonella clevelandensis infection.
• It is the first reported pediatric case and the second spinal infection attributed to this bacterium.
• The case required surgical intervention and prolonged antibiotic treatment.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of Lawsonella clevelandensis infections.
• It underscores the importance of considering rare pathogens in complex clinical scenarios.
• Highlights the utility of molecular diagnostics for identifying fastidious bacteria.