Case report of an unusual cause of low back pain. Intervertebral diskitis caused by Eikenella corrodens

Abstract

A 42-year-old man suffered from low back pain caused by intervertebral diskitis. The condition was diagnosed on plain roentgenogram and computed tomography scans. The infected area was biopsied and grew Eikenella corrodens, a gram-negative anaerobic rod, which grows slowly only after culture on blood agar in 5-10% carbon dioxide. This is the first reported case of E. corrodens intervertebral diskitis causing acute low back pain. Recognition of this organism in this condition emphasizes the importance of aerobic and anaerobic cultures of infected disks. The organism has unusual antibiotic sensitivities. The infection, once appropriately treated, responded rapidly.