Candida albicans spondylodiscitis and vertebral osteomyelitis in patients with intravenous heroin drug addiction. Report of 3 new cases.

We describe 3 patients with a history of intravenous (iv) heroin addiction presenting with indolent, persisting lumbar pain. Clinical findings and initial investigations were unremarkable. Gallium scintigraphy revealed septic spondylodiscitis, and cultures of material obtained by biopsy were positive for Candida albicans in all 3 cases. Two patients were treated with iv amphotericin B and the other with fluconazole with excellent results. Surgical treatment was needed only in one patient because of neurological involvement.