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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
06:23
Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Recurrent Cervical Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus: A Case Report.
Takeshi Yamashita1, Katsuyuki Yoshida1, Michiko Matsuzawa Adachi1
1Department of Comprehensive Medicine 1, Division of General Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan, jichi.ac.jp.
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
|June 15, 2026
Summary
A rare cervical spine infection caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus relapsed after standard antibiotics. Extended treatment led to remission, suggesting longer antibiotic courses may be needed for complex spinal infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Spinal Surgery
- Microbiology
Background:
- Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is a rare spinal infection, with cervical spine involvement in 3-10% of cases.
- Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus, a gut bacterium, is an uncommon cause of spinal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis caused by S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus.
- To highlight a clinical relapse and the management of this rare infection.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 88-year-old male with cervical spondylodiscitis.
- Diagnosis confirmed by blood cultures and cervical MRI.
- Treatment involved initial 90-day antibiotic course, followed by extended oral therapy after relapse.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced a clinical relapse 174 days after initial treatment.
- Extended antibiotic therapy for 9 months resulted in sustained remission without surgery.
- This is the first reported case of clinical recurrence for this specific pathogen in spinal infection.
Conclusions:
- Standard antibiotic durations may be insufficient for complex or relapsing spinal infections caused by S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus.
- Individualized treatment duration and long-term surveillance are crucial for managing such cases.
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