Pneumococcal osteomyelitis. An unusual cluster of cases.

Between 1979 and 1981, 22 children with osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis were hospitalized at Soroka University Hospital. Streptococcus pneumoniae was cultured in five of the children, four of whom were under 2 years of age. In four other children under 2 years of age, Haemophilus influenzae was cultured. Staphylococcus aureus was identified less frequently in the younger age group. In deciding on initial antibiotic therapy, the possibility of such a bacteriological spectrum should be considered.