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A Seven-Year Prospective Study on Spondylodiscitis: Epidemiological and Microbiological Features

  • Clinical and Epidemiological Study
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Abstract

Background:

The aim of this paper was to enlarge the available knowledge on clinical and etiological aspects of patients affected by spondylodiscitis.

Patients and Methods:

All patients with spondylodiscitis admitted between January 2001 and December 2007 at the 1,300-bed University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I" of Rome, Italy, were followed. Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, invasive procedures, imaging studies, isolated microorganisms, treatment, complications, and outcome were recorded.

Results:

Eighty-one patients of mean age 57.7 ± 14.7 years with lumbosacral (72.8%), thoracic (14.8%), and cervical tract (12.3%) site of infection were included, of which 38 developed communityacquired (CA) spondylodiscitis and 43 developed hospital-acquired (HA) spondylodiscitis. Underlying disease was present in 49.4% of patients. HA spondylodiscitis was diagnosed earlier (46.8 ± 49.7 days) than CA spondylodiscitis (65.0 ± 55.4 days) (P < 0.05). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus (28 strains, 43.1%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (eight strains, 12.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (eight strains, 12.3%), and three methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains were isolated in CA spondylodiscitis. Fungi and yeasts, isolated in six patients, represented 9.2% of all strains but 17.6% when considering only HA spondylodiscitis. Over 85% of patients were managed by conservative treatment alone, and the treatment time depended on clinical and laboratory evidence. Poor outcome was recorded in 12 (14.8%) patients, and was associated with neurological deficit symptoms (relative risk [RR] 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–8.07; P < 0.05) and the time between diagnosis and the onset of symptoms ≥ 60 days (RR 2.65; 95% CI 0.92–7.59; P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Infectious spondylodiscitis affects most frequently the elderly population, who are more exposed to healthcare contacts. Consequently, the infection etiology includes a growing proportion of multi-resistant bacteria and fungi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University “La Sapienza” Rome, Rome, Italy

    C. D’Agostino, L. Scorzolini, A. P. Massetti, M. Carnevalini, G. d’Ettorre, M. Venditti & V. Vullo

  2. Dept. of Public Health Sciences, University “La Sapienza” Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    G. B. Orsi

Authors
  1. C. D’Agostino
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  2. L. Scorzolini
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  3. A. P. Massetti
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  4. M. Carnevalini
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  5. G. d’Ettorre
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  6. M. Venditti
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  7. V. Vullo
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  8. G. B. Orsi
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Correspondence to G. B. Orsi.

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D’Agostino, C., Scorzolini, L., Massetti, A.P. et al. A Seven-Year Prospective Study on Spondylodiscitis: Epidemiological and Microbiological Features. Infection 38, 102–107 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-009-9340-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-009-9340-8

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