Group B streptococcal spondylodiscitis in adults: 2 case reports

Joint Bone Spine. 2004 Jul;71(4):338-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2003.05.001.

Abstract

Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B streptococcus (GBS), has been traditionally considered an infrequent etiologic agent of disease in adults except for urinary tract infection in pregnant women. Attention has recently been drawn to other adult infections caused by GBS such as skin and soft tissue infections, bacteriemias, pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, peritonitis, and bone and joint infections. We present two adult patients with GBS spondylodiscitis and review 30 cases of GBS spinal infection previously reported in the literature. This series clearly illustrates that GBS has recently been recognized as an emerging cause of vertebral infections in adults, particularly in those with chronic underlying diseases, although it can also affect immunocompetent patients without debilitating conditions. Although uncommon, GBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infective spondylodiscitis in nonpregnant adults, whatever the patient's immunological status.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ampicillin / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Discitis / microbiology
  • Discitis / pathology*
  • Discitis / therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Gentamicins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / microbiology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthopedic Procedures
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology
  • Osteomyelitis / pathology*
  • Osteomyelitis / therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications
  • Streptococcal Infections / pathology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / isolation & purification*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / microbiology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Gentamicins
  • Ampicillin