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Shigella osteomyelitis in a fit young man
K Twum-Danso1, S Marwah, A Ahlberg
1Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Shigella flexneri can cause osteomyelitis, a bone infection, even in healthy individuals. This case highlights successful treatment with surgery and Ampicillin for this rare bone infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, is typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Shigella species are primarily known for causing gastrointestinal infections (shigellosis).
- Bone infections caused by Shigella are exceptionally rare, particularly in immunocompetent individuals.
Observation:
- A young, apparently healthy male presented with symptoms suggestive of a bone infection.
- Diagnostic cultures from the infected bone site yielded Shigella flexneri.
- The patient had no apparent underlying conditions predisposing to severe infection.
Findings:
- The causative agent of osteomyelitis was confirmed as Shigella flexneri.
- Surgical debridement of the infected bone was performed.
- The patient received a course of Ampicillin for antibiotic therapy.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of bone infections caused by Shigella species.
- It underscores the importance of considering unusual pathogens in osteomyelitis, even in healthy patients.
- Successful treatment with surgery and Ampicillin suggests this antibiotic can be effective against Shigella osteomyelitis.