Spondylodiskitis Secondary to Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus

• DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e31822cf8a8
• Publication Date: 2011-08-06T09:40:02Z
• Authors: Ravi Bhatia; Nitin Bhanot
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Discitis; Osteomyelitis; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Streptococcal Infections; Zoonoses; Animals; Humans; Streptococcus equi; Horses

Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, traditionally classified under Group C Streptococci, is primarily a veterinary pathogen. Rarely, it may cause infections such as bacteremia, meningitis, endocarditis and pneumonia in humans. Musculoskeletal infections secondary to this pathogen are very uncommon. The authors present the first case of osteomyelitis due to S. zooepidemicus in a farmer who had close contact with a dead horse. The authors review all cases of osteoarticular infections secondary to this microbe, in addition to providing an overview of clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome of this infection.