Concomitant Pseudomonas Discitis from Shared Needles in Intravenous Opioid Abusers

Abstract

Spinal discitis is a relatively rare infection of the vertebral disks that only occurs in 2% to 4% of all bony infections.1 Intravenous drug users are a specific group of patients who are at increased risk for this type of infection because bacterial organism is introduced to the bloodstream from needle usage. In this case series, we present 2 cases of concomitant Pseudomonas aeruginosa discitis after chronic intravenous administration of Opana (oxymorphone hydrochloride) with shared needles. Both patients underwent computed tomography–guided aspiration and were treated with long-term intravenous antibiotics, which resulted in symptomatic improvement.