Unveiling the uncommon: A rare case report of osteomyelitis caused by Enterococcusavium

Priya Sreenivasan1, Rishin Raj2, J Kumaravel2

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India; Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Vijaypur, Jammu, India.

Insights

Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, is rarely caused by Enterococcus avium. This case study details a successful treatment of chronic tibial osteomyelitis due to Enterococcus avium in an elderly male.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Osteomyelitis is a bone infection, often following trauma or surgery.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen, but Enterococcus species are emerging.
  • Osteomyelitis caused by Enterococcus avium is exceptionally rare in medical literature.

Observation:

  • A 68-year-old male presented with chronic osteomyelitis affecting his right tibia.
  • The causative pathogen identified was Enterococcus avium.
  • The patient's condition was successfully managed.

Findings:

  • This report highlights a rare case of chronic osteomyelitis caused by Enterococcus avium.
  • Successful treatment outcomes are demonstrated for this uncommon pathogen.
  • The study contributes to the limited existing literature on Enterococcus avium-induced osteomyelitis.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Enterococcus avium in the differential diagnosis of refractory osteomyelitis, especially in cases with unclear etiology.
  • This case underscores the importance of accurate microbiological identification for appropriate treatment strategies.
  • Further research into Enterococcus avium epidemiology and treatment is warranted to guide clinical practice.

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