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Chronic osteomyelitis due to Clostridium difficile
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|April 24, 1982
Summary
This study reports a rare case of chronic femoral osteomyelitis caused by Clostridium difficile, an anaerobic bacterium. Successful treatment was achieved using metronidazole despite initial penicillin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Anaerobic bacterial osteomyelitis is uncommon.
- Clostridium difficile is typically associated with gastrointestinal issues, not bone infections.
Observation:
- A patient presented with chronic osteomyelitis of the femur.
- Clostridium difficile was repeatedly isolated from the infection site over several months.
- The bacteria initially sensitive to penicillin developed resistance during treatment.
Findings:
- This case may represent the first instance of Clostridium difficile causing femoral osteomyelitis.
- Persistent isolation of C. difficile could be attributed to resistant spores.
- The likely source was the patient's gastrointestinal tract, despite the absence of symptoms.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for C. difficile to cause rare forms of osteomyelitis.
- Suggests the need for considering anaerobic bacteria in refractory bone infections.
- Metronidazole proved effective in treating this challenging Clostridium difficile osteomyelitis case.