Streptococcus Constellatus Spondylodiscitis in a Teenager: A Case Report

Streptococcus anginosus spondylodiscitis causing incapacitating back pain in an immunocompetent patient: A case report

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is uncommon and usually presents in the setting of immunosuppression. Streptococcus anginosus group are opportunistic pathogens that rarely cause this infection. We present a case of an immunocompetent 45-year-old male with extreme lower back pain, not even relieved by opioids. A magnetic resonance imaging done the day before arrival showed multiple lumbar disk degeneration and lumbar spondylosis. Initial examinations did not show significant alteration. During inpatient admission, his values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein increased, and a new magnetic resonance imaging with contrast revealed signs of spondylodiscitis at the L2-L3 level. He underwent open surgery for tissue sampling and stabilization of the affected segment. Blood culture, disk sampling culture, and myeloculture were positive for S. anginosus. Additional examinations were negative for immunosuppression or any underlying condition, and the dental evaluation only showed mild gingivitis. The patient received intravenous antibiotics, and the pain significantly improved after surgery. He was finally discharged and completed 8 weeks of antibiotics. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were normal 6 weeks after surgery, and on a 1-year follow-up, the magnetic resonance imaging showed stable post-surgical changes with no signs of infection.

A Pterygopalatine Fossa Abscess Caused by Streptococcus Constellatus With Ptosis as Initial Presentation: Case Report

Pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) abscess is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Typically, it has been reported in association with odontogenic infections or hematogenous dissemination. In this report, we present the first case of PPF abscess where no obvious underlying cause or primary infection was evident. The patient initially presented with a 2-week history of left ptosis and persistent headaches, which were subsequently accompanied by fever and limited mouth opening. Based on elevated inflammatory markers and imaging findings, the diagnosis of a PPF abscess was established. Successful treatment was achieved through surgical drainage using an external cervical approach. Cultures from the aspirated pus identified Streptococcus constellatus as the causative agent. This case highlights the importance of considering PPF abscess in patients presenting with ptosis as an initial symptom. When diagnosed, surgical drainage should be considered as a viable therapeutic option.

Severe pneumonia with empyema caused by Parvimonas micra and Streptococcus constellatus co-infection: a case report

Empyema is a common complication of pneumonia, caused by the accumulation of purulent exudate due to pathogenic bacteria invading the pleural cavity. Parvimonas micra and Streptococcus constellatus are pathogens that rarely cause pneumonia with empyema. Herein, a case of severe empyema caused by these two pathogens, confirmed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of pleural effusion cultures, is reported. A male Chinese patient in his late sixties presented with wheezing, cough, sputum expectoration, and fever. Blood and sputum cultures were negative for pathogens, but the pleural effusion culture was positive for S. constellatus, and was also found to contain P. micra, confirmed by mNGS. The patient's symptoms improved after treatment with cefoperazone/sulbactam and moxifloxacin. Pneumonia caused by P. micra and S. constellatus is rare; however, coinfection with these pathogens may cause severe pneumonia, with or without empyema.

Aggressive Pyogenic Spondylitis Caused by S. constellatus: A Case Report

Streptococcus constellatus (SC) is a species of Streptococcus belonging to the Streptococcus anginosus group, along with Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus intermedius. Despite its commensal nature, underlying risk factors and medical conditions might lead to various anatomic site infections caused by this opportunistic pathogen. Although SC infections have mostly been associated with bacteremia, some case reports of abscess and empyema formation have been documented. Herein, we report a case of a middle-aged female patient who initially presented with radiculopathy symptoms. Subsequent neurologic imaging revealed a pyogenic abscess along paravertebral muscles, which was found to be caused by SC. The patient was successfully treated with abscess drainage from the lumbar zone and antibiotics, and the symptoms of radiculopathy have completely resolved.

Acute Pyogenic Spondylitis Caused by Streptococcus Constellatus in an Obese Patient: A Case Report

Streptococcus constellatus (S. constellatus) is a well-known part of the normal flora in humans. Pyogenic spondylitis (PS) induced by S. constellatus is very rare. In this case, a 46-year-old male patient presented to our hospital with a 2-month history of low back pain and weakness in both legs. Based on his clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, blood culture results, imaging and histopathological findings, the patient was diagnosed with PS caused by S. constellatus. One unique aspect of this case is the acute and severe course of infection, which resulted in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and septic shock in the first week and rapid vertebral destruction within 2 months of the patient’s admission. His obese status may be relevant to his presentation. This case report suggests that S. constellatus infections should not be overlooked, especially in patients with known risk factors and predispositions to infectious diseases.

A Case of Spondylodiscitis Fistulating Into the Vagina 15 Years after Promontofixation

Promontofixations can be a rare cause of spondylodiscitis due to the material used getting infected. We present here a case of a 75-year-old woman who underwent a subtotal hysterectomy, followed by a trachelectomy, and presented 15 years later with lumbago and fever. After thorough examination, haemocultures and imaging were performed. This led to the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis of L5-S1, likely due to S. constellatus, with a fistula into the vagina. The patient received surgical treatment. This case is unusual due to the time lapse between the hysterectomy and the infection as well as the probable pathogen.

Teaching Point: Promontofixation material can remain despite hysterectomy and can be a source of infection many years after the operation has taken place.

Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis due to Streptococcus constellatus in an Immunocompromised Male Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is a primary infection of the intervertebral disc and is a rare entity. Here, we describe the case of a 64-year-old male patient, a professional breeder, who attended the Emergency Department with sciatica and back pain that was worsening for a week. The patient had no history of surgery or trauma. The patient had poor oral hygiene. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed lumbar spondylodiscitis, and blood cultures revealed Streptococcus constellatus. The patient was initially treated with vancomycin but due to renal failure deterioration, the treatment was changed to daptomycin for 8 weeks. During hospitalization, he endured renal injury and nosocomial respiratory tract infection. The patient was discharged with no further complications. Follow-up revealed improvement of neurological signs. In our case, it seems that poor oral hygiene was the cause of bacteremia, which underlies the importance of a good oral health status in immunocompromised patients not only to prevent but also to successfully eliminate any dental source of infection. S. constellatus is an extremely rare pathogen and to our knowledge only two other cases of pyogenic spondylodiscitis are reported in the literature. Early diagnosis is very important for the prognosis of these patients.