Pantoea agglomerans as a rare cause of cervical spondylodiscitis

Authors

  • C de V Marais
  • S Mears
  • SI Dix-Peek
  • K Pillay
  • RN Dunn

Keywords:

Pantoea agglomerans, cervical spondylodiscitis, paediatrics

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To present a case report of a rare cause for cervical spondylodiscitis caused by Pantoea agglomerans. 

CASE PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 10-year-old girl presented with a destructive lesion of the C4 vertebral body with raised infective markers and a radiological picture suggestive of tuberculosis spondylodiscitis. Further investigations revealed multiple sites of involvement. No evidence of tuberculosis was found. Histology after biopsy showed focal granuloma formation in response to necrotic bone fragments and on tissue cultures in which Pantoea bacteria was isolated. The patient was successfully treated with a six-week course of co-amoxiclav. On follow-up the cervical lesion as well as the other sites of involvement showed signs of resolution 

CONCLUSION: Pantoea agglomerans is a rare pathogen in the aetiology of spondylodiscitis. The organism is usually associated with penetrating trauma by plant material or contaminated intravenous products. Neither of these factors was present in this case

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Published

2017-09-01