Veillonella parvula spondylodiscitis

Abstract

ObjectivesVeillonella parvula is an anaerobic Gram-negative coccus rarely involved in bone and joint infections. Patients and methodWe report the case of a Veillonella parvula vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) in a female patient without any risk factor. ResultsThe 35-year-old patient was immunocompetent and presented with Veillonella parvula VO. She was admitted to hospital for inflammatory lower back pain. The discovertebral sample was positive for Veillonella parvula. Literature data on Veillonella VO is scarce. Reported cases usually occurred in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis delay can be up to four months. Patients are usually afebrile. Outcome with antimicrobial treatment alone is favorable in half of cases. Other patients must undergo surgery. ConclusionsVeillonella VO may occur in immunocompetent patients and have a clinical spectrum of mechanical lower back pain.