Weeks Of Antibiotic Treatment Research Articles

Retrospective study to investigate appropriate duration of antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in patients with immunodeficiency

BackgroundSince the appropriate antibiotic duration for uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteremia (u-SAB) in an immunocompromised state is still unclear, physicians are likely to extend antibiotic therapy from 2 weeks to 4-6 weeks. To examine the appropriate duration of antibiotic therapy for u-SAB, we performed this study. Patients and MethodsWe reviewed all patients with u-SAB at our institute seen between January 2020 and August 2023. A total of 51 patients were enrolled, and they were divided into the following two groups by antibiotic duration: longer duration group ≥ 28 days after blood culture negativity, and shorter duration group. Then, the patients were matched by a propensity score using the covariates of age, sex, qSOFA, and CCI. The primary outcome was to identify the prognosis by duration of antibiotic treatment. ResultsAfter propensity score matching, all-cause 30-day mortality was 0 % in both groups. Hence, there was no significant difference in all-cause 90 days mortality (19.0% vs 9.5%, p = 0.33) or recurrence (9.5%% vs 0%, p = 0.22). Before propensity-score matching, we found that a serum level of CRP 2.0mg/dL and greater after intravenous antibiotic treatment was one of the poor prognostic factors. The cut-off value of serum CRP level was 2.0mg/dL with a sensitivity of 82.1% and a specificity of 75.0%. ConclusionWe suggested that 4-6 weeks of antibiotic treatment for immunodeficient u-SAB patients was unnecessary. Moreover, the serum level of CRP after completion of IV antibiotic treatment could be a prognostic marker for u-SAB.

Albuminuria Is Affected by Urinary Tract Infection: A Comparison between Biochemical Quantitative Method and Automatic Urine Chemistry Analyzer UC-3500.

The automated urine reagent strip test is a cost-effective tool for detecting albuminuria in patients. However, prior research has not investigated how urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect the test's accuracy. Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of UTIs on albuminuria diagnosis using both the biochemical quantitative method and the test strip method of the Fully Automatic Urine Chemistry Analyzer, UC-3500 (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan). From March to December 2019, we prospectively collected midstream urine from adult female UTI patients before and after one week of cephalexin treatment. The urine samples were subjected to culture, routine urinalysis, and albuminuria diagnosis using the biochemical quantitative method and UC-3500. Albuminuria was defined as a urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30 mg/g in the biochemical quantitative method. The results were compared between the two methods. Among fifty-four female patients (average age: 50.5 ± 4.4 years) with UTIs, 24 (44.44%) had transient albuminuria. The quantitative UACR significantly decreased after one week of antibiotic treatment (median: 53 mg/g to 9 mg/g; median difference: -0.54, p < 0.0001). UC-3500 exhibited a higher false positive rate for diagnosing albuminuria during UTIs (42%) compared to after treatment (19%). Its agreement with the biochemical quantitative method was moderate during UTI (κ = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24-0.73) and good after treatment (κ = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45-0.86). UC-3500's accuracy in diagnosing albuminuria is influenced by UTIs, leading to either transient albuminuria or a false positive reaction of the test strip. UTI should be excluded or treated before its application in albuminuria screening.

A Case of Postthoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Stent-Graft Infection Caused by Campylobacter insulaenigrae.

An 81-year-old Japanese man who had distal aortic arch dilatation at age 77 had thoracic endovascular aortic surgery. The patient developed a fever and was taken to the hospital. Reduced diffusion in the descending aortic wall along the stent graft was discovered using whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging with background body signal suppression, and stent-graft infection was identified. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis and blood culture results identified Campylobacter insulaenigrae as the etiological bacterial species. The patient was released from the hospital after 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment since the swelling and inflammatory response had decreased.

Rathke's cleft cyst presenting with recurrent aseptic meningitis and inflammatory apoplexy: illustrative case.

Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is a benign sellar/suprasellar lesion often discovered incidentally. Rarely, symptomatic cases can present with headache and may exhibit concomitant aseptic meningitis or apoplexy. The authors describe a patient with an RCC presenting with recurring episodes of aseptic meningitis and ultimately inflammatory-type apoplexy. A 30-year-old female presented with three episodes of intractable headaches over 2 months. Each episode's clinical picture was consistent with meningitis though cerebrospinal fluid cultures, and viral tests remained negative. Imaging demonstrated a sellar lesion, initially thought to be coincidental. On the third presentation, there was rapid interval growth of the lesion, adjacent cerebritis, and new endocrinopathy. Resection was then performed via an endoscopic endonasal approach. Pathology showed an RCC with acute and chronic inflammation and no evidence of hemorrhage. Cultures were negative for organisms. The patient received several weeks of antibiotic treatment with the resolution of all symptoms and no recurrence. Recurrent aseptic meningitis with apoplexy-like symptoms is a rare presentation of RCC. The authors propose the term inflammatory apoplexy to describe such a presentation without evidence of abscess, necrosis, or hemorrhage. The mechanism is unclear although may be due to intermittent microleakage of cyst contents into the subarachnoid space.

Lung abscess: Clinical characteristics of 222 Danish patients diagnosed from 2016 to 2021

IntroductionLung abscess (LA) is a serious respiratory infection often followed by several weeks of antibiotic treatment. This study described the clinical presentation of LA, treatment duration and mortality in a contemporary Danish population. MethodsIn a retrospective multicenter cohort study at four Danish hospitals, patients diagnosed with LA were identified using the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th revision (ICD-10) between 2016 and 2021. A predefined data collection tool was used to extract data on demographics, symptoms, clinical findings and treatment. ResultsOf 302 patients, 222 with LA were included after review of patient records (76%). Mean age was 65 years (54–74), 62.9% was male and 74.9% were ever-smokers. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (35.1%), use of sedatives (29.3%) and alcohol abuse (21.8%) were common risk factors. Dental status was reported in 51.4%, whereof 41.6% had poor dental status. Patients presented with cough (78.8%), malaise (61.3%) and fever (56.8%) Patients were hospitalized for a median of 14 days (interquartile ranges, IQR 7–21) and median duration of antibiotic treatment was 38 days (IQR 30–51). All-cause mortality after 1, 3 and 12 months was 2.7%, 7.7% and 15.8%, respectively. ConclusionRisk factors for LA include COPD and use of sedatives, alcohol abuse, and poor dental status. Despite long-term antibiotic treatment, long-term mortality is markedly high.

Antibiotic Treatment Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Gut Microbiota and the Enteric Nervous System in Mice

The side effects of antibiotic treatment directly correlate with intestinal dysbiosis. However, a balanced gut microbiota supports the integrity of the enteric nervous system (ENS), which controls gastrointestinal neuromuscular functions. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of antibiotic-induced microbial dysbiosis on the ENS and the impact of the spontaneous re-establishment of the gut microbiota on gastrointestinal functions. C57BL/6J mice were treated daily for two weeks with antibiotics. After 0–6 weeks of antibiotics wash-out, we determined (a) gut microbiota composition, (b) gastrointestinal motility, (c) integrity of the ENS, (d) neurochemical code, and (e) inflammation. Two weeks of antibiotic treatment significantly altered gut microbial composition; the genera Clostridium, Lachnoclostridium, and Akkermansia did not regain their relative abundance following six weeks of antibiotic discontinuation. Mice treated with antibiotics experienced delayed gastrointestinal transit and altered expression of neuronal markers. The anomalies of the ENS persisted for up to 4 weeks after the antibiotic interruption; the expression of neuronal HuC/D, glial-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf), and nerve growth factor (Ngf) mRNA transcripts did not recover. In this study, we strengthened the idea that antibiotic-induced gastrointestinal dysmotility directly correlates with gut dysbiosis as well as structural and functional damage to the ENS.

Safe shortening of antibiotic treatment duration for complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAFE trial): protocol for a randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial comparing 4 and 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment

IntroductionA major knowledge gap in the treatment of complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy. Safe shortening of antibiotic therapy has the potential to reduce...

Gradenigo's syndrome – A Diagnostic Challenge

We report a case of a 5-year-old healthy child that presented to the emergency department with a 4-day history of prostration, headache, cervical pain, and fever. She had a history of acute otitis media 8 weeks before. She presented a hyperaemic and bulged left tympanic membrane as well as limitation of left eye abduction. Blood tests showed increased inflammatory markers. She performed a cerebral, cervical and ear region computed tomography showing the left mastoid region, left ear, and left petrous apex filled with secretions in relation with mastoiditis and petrositis. A lumbar punction was performed and treatment with ceftriaxone 100mg/kg/day was initiated. After exclusion on meningitis, the antibiotic was changed cefuroxime 150mg/Kg/day. She was submitted to a left myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement and, after, she presented a rapid improvement of cervical pain and headache with no more documented fever. During hospitalization, she performed a magnetic resonance imaging that show signs of mastoiditis and petrositis. There was no evidence of cerebral extension of inflammatory process and all the venous sinus presented preserved flow. At discharge, she was clinically asymptomatic with normalization of inflammatory parameters. At physical examination she still presented limitation of left eye abduction. She completed a total of 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment. Due to persistent VI cranial nerve palsy one month after discharge, an injection of botulinum toxin was performed, with complete resolution.

CANDIDA PANOPHTHALMITIS WITH IATROGENIC HYPERADRENOCORTICISM IN TWO DOGS

Two adult poodles were referred for severe corneal ulcers in both eyes (oculi uterque [OU]) for 1.5 months, and swollen eyelids for approximately 1 week. Ophthalmic examination revealed diffuse corneal edema with grayish deposit and ulcer, uveitis, glaucoma, grayish deposit and necrosis on the third eyelid and conjunctiva, eyelids necrosis, eyelid-eyeball adhesions, and blindness. Cytological examination of the conjunctiva and cornea revealed neutrophilic inflammation, and a bacterial culture revealed Staphylococcus aureus. An adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test was performed, strongly indicating iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. No improvement was observed after 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment. Fungal cultures from the cornea and conjunctiva were positive for Candida spp. Specific antifungal treatment included topical 5% natamycin eye drops (OU six times daily) and oral itraconazole (5[Formula: see text]mg/kg q12[Formula: see text]h). The grayish deposits of the conjunctiva and cornea were sloughed off, thus facilitating the healing of corneal and eyelids ulcers, over the next 3–4 weeks. Phthisis bulbi and eyelid-eyeball adhesions developed in both dogs after 6 months of follow-up. Based on the fungal isolation by culture, clinical signs, and response to antifungal treatment, Candida spp. panophthalmitis was diagnosed. Fungi should be considered a potential organism in panophthalmitis, especially with a medical history of steroids and antibiotic use. This case report demonstrates the grayish deposits of the cornea, conjunctiva, and third eyelid as possible characteristics of Candida infection in the dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Candida panophthalmitis with iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.

LBSUN293 Diabetic Hand Infection: A Case Report

Abstract Background Diabetes Mellitus is related to musculoskeletal and soft tissues complications in a very diverse way, and with no doubt, hands are also affected. Almost 40% of people living with Diabetes have significant problems in the hands that require medical attention. (1) Clinical Case: A 59-year-old women with history of Diabetes Mellitus diagnosed 20 years ago without control, treated with NPH and Lispro insulin (basal bolus regimen). She was admitted to the emergency room due to a third-degree boiling water burn in her right index finger. Before she came to the hospital, she was previously evaluated by a physician who prescribed antibiotics (clindamycin) for 5 days without response. At physical examination, erythema, edema, purulent secretion was found in the finger. In addition, fever and high glucose levels were also noted. During hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics such as tigecycline and oxacillin were used with no improvement. Blood samples demonstrated leukocytosis and C-reactive protein (CPR) elevated levels. Secretion culture was positive to Methicillin-sensible Staphylococcus Aureus. Electromyography revealed severe lesions at sensory-motor peripheral nerves with chronic denervation in upper limbs. Due to the poor evolution of the injury, traumatologists indicated surgical cleaning. After 2 days, leukocytosis and CPR elevated levels persisted and despite all the efforts done to save the finger, traumatologists decided to perform an amputation. After 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, the patient was discharged with normalized hemogram and CPR levels. Conclusion Diabetic hand infection is less recognized in the literature that the diabetic foot, main reason why it is easily ignored and underestimated; resulting in increased morbidity among diabetic patients. The combination of neuropathy, peripheral artery disease and impaired glucose levels made this patient had a poor outcome, resulting in the loss of a finger. It is very important to evaluate the hands during routine controls to avoid these sad events.

Effect of Lactobacillus casei fermented milk on fracture healing in osteoporotic mice.

The interaction between the gut microbiota and the host has been described experimentally by germ-free animals or by antibiotic-disturbed gut microbiota. Studies on germ-free mice have shown that gut microbiota is critical for bone growth and development in mice, emphasizing that microbiota dysbiosis may interfere with normal bone development processes. This study aimed to clarify the effect of antibiotic treatment on disturbed gut microbiota on bone development in mice and to investigate the effect of probiotic treatment on fracture healing in mice with dysbiosis. Our results showed that 4 weeks old female Kunming mice showed significantly lower abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota and significantly lower bone mineral density after 12 weeks of antibiotic treatment and significantly increased levels of RANKL and Ang II in serum (p<0.05). Mice with dysbiosis received 5 mL of Lactobacillus casei fermented milk by daily gavage after internal fixation of femoral fractures, and postoperative fracture healing was evaluated by X-ray, micro-CT scan, and HE staining, which showed faster growth of the broken ends of the femur and the presence of more callus. Serological tests showed decreased levels of RANKL and Ang II (p<0.05). Similarly, immunohistochemical results also showed increased expression of α smooth muscle actin in callus tissue. These results suggest that oral antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in mice, which in turn leads to the development of osteoporosis. In contrast, probiotic treatment promoted fracture healing in osteoporotic mice after dysbiosis, and the probiotic effect on fracture healing may be produced by inhibiting the RAS/RANKL/RANK pathway.

Oral antibiotics relieve allergic asthma in post-weaning mice via reducing iNKT cells and function of ADRB2

The role of normal gut microbiota in asthma or ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma tolerance (OT) remains unclear. Here, we established mouse models of asthma and OT followed by 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, to clear the gut microbiota. Antibiotic treatment was found to alleviate allergic asthma accompanied with a reduction of invariant natural killer (iNKT) cells. By RNA-seq analysis, we found that β-adrenergic receptor (ADRB) genes, including Adrb1, Adrb2, and Adrb3, were downregulated in asthmatic lungs, but these changes were reversed in OT lungs. Moreover, Adrb2 and Adrb3 were significantly upregulated in asthmatic lungs after antibiotic treatment. Surprisingly, blocking ADRB with propranolol relieved allergic asthma while reducing T helper 2 (Th2) and Treg cell numbers. Further analyses using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence showed that the protein expression level of ADRB2 was higher in asthmatic lungs than that in the control and OT lungs. Notably, dendritic cells (DCs), especially the ADRB2+ DCs, were increased in asthmatic lungs compared to that in the control and OT lungs. In addition, ADRB2+ DCs were significantly reduced following the administration of the ADRB2-specific antagonist ICI118551. Our findings suggest that antibiotic treatment can alleviate OVA-induced allergic asthma via reducing the frequency of iNKT cells and function of ADRB2.

Fecal Calprotectin and Quality of Life Questionnaires Are Responsive to Change in Pouch Disease Activity After Antibiotic Therapy: Results From a Prospective Clinical Trial.

Whether fecal calprotectin (FC) and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires reflect change in disease activity in patients with a J-pouch is unknown. Patients with acute pouchitis were prospectively treated with a 2-week course of antibiotics. The full Pouchitis Disease Activity Index, FC, and QoL questionnaires were measured at baseline and after antibiotic therapy. Twenty patients were prospectively enrolled. After 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index decreased from a median of 9 to 5 ( P = 0.007). FC decreased from a median of 661 ug/g to 294 ug/g ( P = 0.02), and QoL questionnaires improved significantly. FC and QoL questionnaires reflect real-time changes in inflammatory pouch activity.

An Uncommon Cause of Chest Pain: Multiloculated Hepatic Abscess in a Patient with Strongyloides Stercoralis Infection

Liver abscesses are purulent collections in the liver parenchyma that result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. Infection can spread to the liver through the biliary tree, hepatic vein, or portal vein when an adjacent infection or trauma expands. We report a case of a 53-year-old male who presented to an ambulatory clinic for evaluation of substernal chest pain. He reported associated palpitations, chills, shortness of breath, and diaphoresis. An abdominal CT revealed a mass with multiple loculations in the right and caudate hepatic lobe consistent with an abscess. Blood cultures grew Klebsiella pneumoniae, and ova and parasite exams showed Strongyloides stercoralis larvae. After four weeks of antibiotic treatment, a follow-up abdominal CT demonstrated complete resolution of the hepatic abscess. This case is an unusual presentation of a hepatic abscess as the patient did not report abdominal symptoms.

125. Dynamic PET facilitated Pharmacokinetic Modeling and High-dose Rifampin Regimens for Staphylococcus aureus Orthopedic Implant Associated Infections: Bench to Bedside

125. Dynamic PET facilitated Pharmacokinetic Modeling and High-dose Rifampin Regimens for <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Orthopedic Implant Associated Infections: Bench to Bedside

Microbial disruption in the gut promotes cerebral endothelial dysfunction.

Cerebrovascular disease is a group of conditions characterized by disorders of the cerebral vessels. Endothelial dysfunction renders the vasculature at risk of impaired blood flow and increases the potential of developing cerebrovascular disease. The gut microbiota has been recently identified as a possible risk factor of cerebrovascular disease. However, a direct link between gut microbiota and cerebral vascular function has not been established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of gut bacterial disruption on cerebral endothelial function. Male inbred Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive either drinking water with (n = 4) or without (n = 4) a cocktail of nonabsorbable broad‐spectrum antibiotics (streptomycin, neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin B). Three weeks of antibiotic treatment resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial load and shifts within the bacterial sub‐populations as assessed using flow cytometry. Using pressure myography, we found that spontaneous tone significantly increased and L‐NAME‐induced vasoconstriction was significantly blunted in middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) harvested from antibiotic‐treated rats. ATP‐mediated dilations were significantly blunted in MCAs from antibiotic‐treated rats compared to their control counterparts. Immunoblotting revealed that the eNOS‐P/total eNOS ratio was significantly reduced in cerebral artery lysates from antibiotic‐treated rats compared to controls. Our findings suggest that disruption of the gut microbiota leads to cerebral endothelial dysfunction through reduction of eNOS activity. This study highlights the potential of the microbiota as a target to reverse endothelial dysfunction and a preventative approach to reducing risk of stroke and aneurysms.

MRI Findings of Early Osteoarthritis in Patients Who Sustained Septic Arthritis of the Knee After ACL Reconstruction.

Background:Although a rare complication, septic arthritis (SA) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has potentially devastating consequences for the knee joint.Purpose:To prospectively analyze, at a mean 4-year follow-up, subjective, clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings between patients with SA and those with no septic complication after ACL reconstruction.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:Of 2006 ACL reconstructions performed between 2004 and 2014, a total of 20 patients experienced SA. All patients were treated with arthroscopic irrigation and graft-retaining debridement immediately after diagnosis and at least 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment. After the exclusion process, 18 patients were included in the SA group and 20 in the control group. At final follow-up at a mean 48 months, a physical examination, KT-1000 arthrometer laxity test, Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity score, and International Knee Documentation Committee radiographic score were completed and then compared with preoperative data. The Boston-Leeds Osteoarthritis Knee Score was used for MRI evaluation at final follow-up to note chondral changes.Results:No significant differences between the SA and control groups were observed in pre- and perioperative variables that could indicate a higher incidence of early osteoarthritis (OA). Although range of motion and knee stability were not significantly different between the groups at final follow-up, the Lysholm score (mean ± SD, 79.8 ± 13.1 vs 90.9 ± 8.6; P < .01) and Tegner score (6.0 ± 1.1 vs 7.0 ± 1.4; P = .03) were significantly lower in the SA group as compared with the control group. MRI evaluation at final follow-up demonstrated a significantly higher degree of early knee OA in the SA group versus the control group. However, no differences in the degree of OA were seen on plain radiographs at final follow-up between the groups.Conclusion:MRI evaluation provided signs of worsened chondral state in the SA group, which could be associated with reduced functional outcome and return to sports. In contrast to radiograph analyses, MRI was excellent at distinguishing damage to the cartilage and can be useful in early follow-up evaluation of patients with SA after ACL reconstruction.

A Case of Enterococcus Spp. Endocarditis in a Seemingly Cured Hemorrhoidal Disease. Case Report

Abstract Background Infective endocarditis with Enterococcus spp. is common in patients with digestive tract diseases. Such patients should be monitored periodically through clinical examination and colonoscopy, to detect the recurrence of seemingly cured disease. There are currently no studies on the incidence of infective endocarditis in patients with hemorrhoidal disease. Case report The case of a 48-year-old man is addressed, known with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with a seemingly cured hemorrhoidal disease, who developed infective endocarditis of the mitral and aortic valve, complicated by ischemic stroke as the first symptom. After six weeks of antibiotic treatment, an almost complete echocardiographic resolution of the vegetation was achieved, such that surgical intervention was postponed. Conclusion Performing a colonoscopy in all Enterococcus spp. infective endocarditis patients, regardless of the presumed source of infection, could be helpful in diagnosing colorectal disease and avoiding a new bacteraemia episode - and eventually infective endocarditis - by the same or a different microorganism. The presented case emphasizes the importance of periodic monitoring of the digestive tract for hemorrhoidal disease in patients with a high risk of recurrence - due to high risk of bacteraemia and systemic complications. Moreover, it is worth noting that in certain cases, efficient antibiotic treatment on its own can achieve an outstanding result for patients with large vegetations, presenting with an embolic episode, and thus postpone (indefinitely) a surgical intervention.

Infections of the spine : Pyogenic spondylodiscitis and implant-associated vertebral osteomyelitis

Pyogenic (unspecific) spondylodiscitis and implant-associated vertebral osteomyelitis (IAVO) are important diseases with the risk of neurological and septic complications. An early diagnosis is essential in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histopathology and microbiological identification of the pathogen play key roles. The goals of conservative treatment in uncomplicated spondylodiscitis are antibiotic infection control and pain management. In the case of sepsis, neurological deficits, segmental instability or epidural abscesses surgical treatment of the infection with stabilization of the spine should be considered. In IAVO the formation of amature biofilm represents the transition from acute to chronic infection. Acute infections can be treated by extensive debridement in combination with biofilm-active antibiotic treatment while retaining the implant. In chronic infections implant removal or exchange in combination with several weeks of antibiotic treatment is often necessary.

Clinical Characteristics of Spinal Epidural Abscess Accompanied by Bacteremia.

ObjectiveThe treatment of choice for spinal epidural abscess (SEA) generally is urgent surgery in combination with intravenous antibiotic treatment. However, the optimal duration of antibiotic treatment has not been established to date, although 4–8 weeks is generally advised. Moreover, some researchers have reported that bacteremia is a risk factor for failure of antibiotic treatment in SEA. In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of SEA accompanied by bacteremia and also determined whether the conventional 4–8 weeks of antibiotic treatment is sufficient. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiological data of 23 patients with bacterial SEA who underwent open surgery from March 2010 to April 2020. All patients had bacteremia preoperatively and underwent weeks of perioperative antibiotic treatments based on their identified organisms until all symptoms of infection disappeared. All patients underwent microbiological studies of peripheral blood, specimens from SEA and concomitant infections. The mean follow-up duration was 35.2 months, excluding three patients who died. ResultsThe male : female ratio was 15 : 8, and the mean age was 68.9 years. The SEA most commonly involved the lumbar spinal segment (73.9%), and the mean size was 2.9 vertebral body lengths. Mean time periods of 8.4 days and 16.6 days were required from admission to diagnosis and from admission to surgery, respectively. Concomitant infections more frequently resulted in delayed diagnosis (p=0.032), masking the symptoms of SEA. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly identified pathogen in both blood and surgical specimens. Seventeen patients (73.9%) showed no deficits at the final follow-up. The overall antibiotic treatment duration was a mean of 66.6 days, excluding three patients who died. This duration was longer than the conventionally advised 4–8 weeks (p=0.010), and psoas or paraspinal abscess required prolonged duration of antibiotic treatment (p=0.038). ConclusionSEA accompanied by bacteremia required a longer duration (>8 weeks) of antibiotic treatment. In addition, the diagnosis was more frequently delayed in patients with concomitant infections. The duration of antibiotic treatment should be extended for SEA with bacteremia, and a high index of suspicion is mandatory for early diagnosis, especially in patients with concomitant infections.