Aspergillus fumigatus causing vertebral osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and literature review

Reed, Thomas A.N., Shtaya, Anan, Beard, Kate, Saeed, Kordo, Glover, Sarah, Fabian, Mark, Baraka, Mohammad and McGillion, Stephen (2023) Aspergillus fumigatus causing vertebral osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and literature review. Infezioni in Medicina, 31 (1), 108-112. (doi:10.53854/liim-3101-15).

Abstract

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.

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Contributors

Author: Kordo Saeed

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