Case Report

Isolated Septic Discitis Associated with Streptococcus bovis Bacteremia

Authors: Deng-Ho Yang, MD, Mu-Hsin Chang, PhD, Wei-Chou Chang, MD

Abstract

Streptococcus bovis is a Gram-positive coccus that can be found in the intestinal flora of healthy people; it is also associated with colon cancer and infective endocarditis. We report on a 79-year-old male who initially presented with acute-onset lower back pain.Streptococcus bovis was detected in repeated blood cultures, and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine revealed septic discitis of the L2-L3 intervertebral disc. Excision and debridement of the intervertebral disc was performed and a tissue culture tested positive for S. bovis. Repeat echocardiography and colonoscopy showed no signs of vegetation or tumor lesions, respectively. We diagnosed the patient with isolated septic discitis caused byS. bovis-induced bacteremia. The patient was discharged after six weeks of antibiotic therapy.

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