Vertebral osteomyelitis due to infection with nontuberculous Mycobacterium species after blunt trauma to the back: 3 examples of the principle of locus minoris resistentiae

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 May 15;32(10):1506-10. doi: 10.1086/320155. Epub 2001 Apr 17.

Abstract

Osteomyelitis due to infection with nontuberculous mycobacterial organisms is unusual, especially in the absence of nonpenetrating trauma. We describe 3 patients with vertebral osteomyelitis due to infection with nontuberculous mycobacterial organisms that was precipitated by blunt trauma; these 3 unusual cases illustrate the principle of locus minoris resistentiae.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium / classification
  • Mycobacterium / isolation & purification
  • Mycobacterium Infections / microbiology*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / pathology
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / pathology
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology*
  • Osteomyelitis / pathology
  • Spine / pathology
  • Spondylitis / microbiology*
  • Spondylitis / pathology
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications*