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Vertebral osteomyelitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria

  1. G. Petitjean1,
  2. U. Fluckiger1,
  3. S. Schären2,
  4. G. Laifer1

Article first published online: 31 AUG 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00949.x

Issue

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

Volume 10, Issue 11, pages 951–953, November 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Petitjean, G., Fluckiger, U., Schären, S. and Laifer, G. (2004), Vertebral osteomyelitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 10: 951–953. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00949.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Infectious Diseases

  2. 2

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland

*Corresponding author and reprint requests: G. Laifer, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland E-mail: laiferg@uhbs.ch

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 OCT 2004
  2. Article first published online: 31 AUG 2004

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Keywords:

  • Mycobacteria;
  • osteomyelitis;
  • vertebral osteomyelitis

Abstract

Vertebral osteomyelitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria is a rare disease, with only 31 cases and one nosocomial outbreak reported in the literature (MedLine review between 1965 and December 2003). The clinical features are often indistinguishable from those of pyogenic osteomyelitis. Early diagnosis of such infections is a major challenge because of the slow growth of these microorganisms. No consensus guidelines for the treatment of these infections exist. Prolonged anti-mycobacterial therapy in combination with surgical debridement is recommended.

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