TITLE:
Only Spondylodiscitis? A Clinical Case of Multiple Septic Embolization
AUTHORS:
Rita Aguiar, Manuel Ferreira Gomes, Elisabete Bento Guerreiro, Tiago Marques, Carla Santos
KEYWORDS:
Spondylodiscitis, Group G Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus, Epidural Abscess, Embolization
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.5 No.10,
October
13,
2016
ABSTRACT: Background: Spondylodiscitis and spinal epidural abscesses are rare pathologic entities, but increasing in incidence. Group G beta hemolytic Streptococcus has been recently described associated with human infections. They often present clinically in a non-specific fashion, a fact which can lead to diagnostic delay, with serious consequences for the patient. Case Report: An 80-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with complaints of fever for three days, dysuria, hematuria, and back pain. Both septic embolizations and spondylodiscitis due to Group G beta hemolytic Streptococcus were detected. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous penicillin G for eight weeks, followed by oral amoxicillin for five months. Discussion: In all patients with spondylodiscitis, infective endocarditis should be considered, particularly in patients with heart valve disease history, since spondylodiscitis may be the presenting sign of an infective endocarditis. A high level of suspicion is therefore necessary in order correctly diagnose such entities as quickly as possible. The present case illustrates the pathogenic potential of group G streptococci in spondylodiscitis and native valve endocarditis.