Propionibacterium acnes causing non-contiguous, multifocal spondylodiscitis in an immunosuppressed patient

Elina Ozolina; Kaspars Auslands; Maris Buks; Martins Ansons

doi:10.1136/bcr-2021-242420

Propionibacterium acnes causing non-contiguous, multifocal spondylodiscitis in an immunosuppressed patient

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Sep 20;14(9):e242420. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-242420.

Authors

Elina Ozolina¹, Kaspars Auslands², Maris Buks², Martins Ansons³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rigas Austrumu kliniska universitates slimnica, Riga, Latvia elina.neurosurg@gmail.com.
² Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rigas Austrumu kliniska universitates slimnica, Riga, Latvia.
³ Faculty of Medicine, Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia.

Abstract

This report describes a case of a spondylodiscitis in an immunocompromised patient with an HIV infection caused by Propionibacterium acnes The patient was admitted to hospital with a sudden loss of motor function and sensation in both of the patient's legs. A biopsy taken during the first debridement operation proved to be negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA and growth, but was positive for the growth of P. acnes Following a course of antibiotic therapy and the aforementioned debridement, the patient was moved to a specialised clinic for physical therapy. The patient's condition quickly deteriorated, and the patient once again required extensive debridement. Repeated spinal surgery, antibiotics for 12 weeks and subsequent rehabilitation resulted in almost complete recovery of sensorimotor limb function.

Keywords: bone and joint infections; infection (neurology); infections; spinal cord.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Discitis* / drug therapy
Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / diagnosis
Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
HIV Infections* / drug therapy
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Propionibacterium acnes

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents