We have located links that may give you full text access.
Group A Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis vertebral osteomyelitis accompanied by progressive atlantoaxial subluxation: A case report and literature review.
Medicine (Baltimore) 2023 August 26
RATIONALE: Clinically, vertebral osteomyelitis commonly occurs in immunocompromised individuals, such as people with diabetes, immunosuppression, chronic liver disease, and malignancy. Microbiologically, vertebral osteomyelitis is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus; however, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) may also potentially cause vertebral osteomyelitis, albeit rarely. Since no case reports have documented the occurrence of SDSE cervical osteomyelitis accompanied by progressive atlantoaxial subluxation, its clinical characteristics remain uncertain. Herein, we report the first case of progressive atlantoaxial subluxation in addition to cervical osteomyelitis due to septic atlantoaxial arthritis caused by SDSE in an immunocompetent individual, and provide a review of the relevant literature.
PATIENT CONCERNS: A 63-year-old man with hypertension but no history of trauma or musculoskeletal disorders presented with worsening neck pain for 1 month without fever. Physical examination revealed neck pain due to neck retroflexion and tenderness with swelling of the upper cervical spine. No neurological deficit was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed low-intensity areas on a T1-weighted image and high-intensity areas on a short tau inversion recovery image at the C2, C5, and C6 vertebral bodies with atlantoaxial subluxation. Two sets of blood culture tests (aerobic and anaerobic) were performed.
DIAGNOSES: The anaerobic blood culture bottle showed the presence of beta-hemolytic pyrrolidonyl arylamidase-negative SDSE expressing Lancefield group A antiserum. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with SDSE cervical osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation; intensive intravenous ampicillin (2 g every 6 hours) - which is effective against SDSE - was administered.
INTERVENTIONS: Posterior fusion (occipital bone, C4) was performed on day 33 because a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging on day 31 revealed progression of atlantoaxial subluxation with thickened atlantodental soft tissue.
OUTCOMES: The patient's neck pain was completely relieved after treatment with intravenous ampicillin for 6 weeks, followed by oral amoxicillin (1500 mg) daily for an additional 4 weeks. The patient did not experience recurrence or sequelae during the 2-year follow-up period.
LESSONS: SDSE expressing Lancefield group A antiserum can cause afebrile vertebral osteomyelitis and progressive atlantoaxial subluxation due to the occurrence of septic atlantoaxial arthritis in immunocompetent individuals. Spinal instrumentation for vertebral osteomyelitis may be acceptable after 6 weeks of antimicrobial therapy.
PATIENT CONCERNS: A 63-year-old man with hypertension but no history of trauma or musculoskeletal disorders presented with worsening neck pain for 1 month without fever. Physical examination revealed neck pain due to neck retroflexion and tenderness with swelling of the upper cervical spine. No neurological deficit was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed low-intensity areas on a T1-weighted image and high-intensity areas on a short tau inversion recovery image at the C2, C5, and C6 vertebral bodies with atlantoaxial subluxation. Two sets of blood culture tests (aerobic and anaerobic) were performed.
DIAGNOSES: The anaerobic blood culture bottle showed the presence of beta-hemolytic pyrrolidonyl arylamidase-negative SDSE expressing Lancefield group A antiserum. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with SDSE cervical osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation; intensive intravenous ampicillin (2 g every 6 hours) - which is effective against SDSE - was administered.
INTERVENTIONS: Posterior fusion (occipital bone, C4) was performed on day 33 because a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging on day 31 revealed progression of atlantoaxial subluxation with thickened atlantodental soft tissue.
OUTCOMES: The patient's neck pain was completely relieved after treatment with intravenous ampicillin for 6 weeks, followed by oral amoxicillin (1500 mg) daily for an additional 4 weeks. The patient did not experience recurrence or sequelae during the 2-year follow-up period.
LESSONS: SDSE expressing Lancefield group A antiserum can cause afebrile vertebral osteomyelitis and progressive atlantoaxial subluxation due to the occurrence of septic atlantoaxial arthritis in immunocompetent individuals. Spinal instrumentation for vertebral osteomyelitis may be acceptable after 6 weeks of antimicrobial therapy.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Executive Summary: State-of-the-Art Review: Unintended Consequences: Risk of Opportunistic Infections Associated with Long-term Glucocorticoid Therapies in Adults.Clinical Infectious Diseases 2024 April 11
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemias: Classifications, Pathophysiology, Diagnoses and Management.International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2024 April 13
Clinical practice guidelines on the management of status epilepticus in adults: A systematic review.Epilepsia 2024 April 13
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app