Pyogenic Spondylitis Caused by Staphylococcus schleiferi in a Patient with Crohn's Disease

Intern Med. 2022 Feb 15;61(4):577-580. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.7368-21. Epub 2021 Aug 13.

Abstract

Staphylococcus schleiferi has rarely been reported to cause pyogenic spondylitis. A 42-year-old man had been treated for Crohn's disease with immunosuppressive agents and home parenteral nutrition via a central vein (CV) port. The patient was admitted to our hospital, presenting with neck pain and a fever. A neurological examination showed slight weakness in his left-hand muscles, and he was diagnosed with pyogenic spondylitis of C6 and C7 vertebral bodies due to catheter-related blood stream infection caused by S. schleiferi. An early diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging, CV port removal and antibiotic therapy targeting S. schleiferi improved his symptoms.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; Staphylococcus schleiferi; home parenteral nutrition; immunosuppressive agents; pyogenic spondylitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Crohn Disease* / complications
  • Crohn Disease* / diagnosis
  • Crohn Disease* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Spondylitis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylitis* / etiology
  • Staphylococcus

Supplementary concepts

  • Staphylococcus schleiferi