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Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Dwarfs in disguise: multiple spinal abscesses and spondylodiscitis caused by an Enterococcus faecium small-colony
Steffen Höring1, Katharina Sobotta1, Sylke Schneider2
1Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum1, D-07747 Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Small-colony variants are slow-growing subpopulations of bacteria known to be involved in latent or recurrent infections, especially in deep-seated foci. Their atypical growth in small colonies can hamper prompt and correct identification in clinical specimens. Here, we present the first case of multiple spinal abscesses and spondylodiscitis associated with an Enterococcus faecium small-colony-variant in an immunocompetent patient. This case demonstrates the diagnostic challenges when encountering this phenotype in the diagnostic laboratory.
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