Unusual cause of infective discitis in an adolescent

Abstract

The first case of infective discitis caused by Eikenella corrodens in an adolescent is presented. The need for anaerobic cultures when dealing with infective pathology in the spine is stressed. A 14 year old boy presented with acute exacerbation of back pain, which showed characteristics of infective discitis after magnetic resonance imaging. Computed tomography guided biopsy grew E corrodens in anaerobic cultures that was sensitive to ampicillin, co-amoxiclav, cefadroxil, and cefotaxime. This patient responded well to co-amoxiclav and recovered without any surgical intervention.