Spontaneous spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess due to Listeria monocytogenes in a middle-aged patient with gentamicin related side effects: A case report and a review of literature.

INTRODUCTION

Primary spondylodiscitis due to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a rare condition.

RESEARCH QUESTION: We present a case of spontaneous LM spondylodiscitis with an epidural abscess in a middle-aged man, who reported no gastrointestinal infection.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We identified 5 spinal infection cases due to LM in the literature, with 3 diagnosed as primary spondylodiscitis.

RESULTS

The patient was treated with surgical decompression, debridement, and antibiotic therapy. Blood cultures remained negative throughout the case and microbiological cultures were obtained during surgery. The patient developed side-effects of prolonged gentamicin therapy but made a recovery from his spinal complaints at 6-months follow-up. Listeriosis is a relatively rare food-borne disease with a wide spectrum of presentation. Surgeons should consider more aggressive therapy for spinal infections and recognize the uncommon manifestations. We identified 3 primary and 2 secondary LM spondylodiscitis cases in the literature. Antibacterial treatment of LM spondylodiscitis varied in agents and duration, but no side-effects were previously reported. Gentamicin treatment requires care and attention to complications.

DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSION

Listeria monocytogenes is a rare cause of primary spondylodiscitis. Further studies are needed to establish a safe treatment protocol for treatment with gentamicin and LM spondylodiscitis.