Aspergillus fumigatus causing vertebral osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and literature review.
- Resource Type
- Report
- Authors
- Reed TAN; NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; Department of Infection, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; Shtaya A; University of Southampton, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Southampton, UK.; Wessex Spinal Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; Beard K; Department of Infection, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; Saeed K; Department of Infection, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; University of Southampton, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Southampton, UK.; Glover S; Department of Infection, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; Fabian M; Cellular Pathology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; Baraka M; Wessex Spinal Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.; McGillion S; Wessex Spinal Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
- Source
- Publisher: Edizioni Internazionali srl Country of Publication: Italy NLM ID: 9613961 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2532-8689 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 11249390 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Infez Med Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Aspergillus vertebral osteomyelitis causing deformity in immunocompetent patients is uncommon. We describe a previously healthy 68-year-old male who was referred after 2 years of lower thoracic back pain and gibbus. His inflammatory markers and HIV test were normal. Imaging demonstrated bony destruction of T12/L1 and L2 with vertebral collapse. Following inconclusive CT-guided biopsy, he underwent reconstructive spinal surgery. Histopathology showed fungi and Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured. He was treated with isavuconazole 200 mg once daily for 12 months with a satisfactory clinical outcome. We present a summary of recently published cases of atraumatic Aspergillus vertebral osteomyelitis in immunocompetent patients without risk factors. Fungal infection should be considered in culture-negative spondylodiscitis, even in the absence of risk factors.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None