[Haemophilus aphrophilus as a rare cause of bacterial spondylitis]

Abstract

We report a case of lumbar spondylitis due to Haemophilus aphrophilus in a 36-year-old man with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Haemophilus aphrophilus is a gram-negative capnophilic, slow growing coccobacillus, a component of the normal human flora of the oropharynx. This organism is considered an uncommon human pathogen and has been reported in the literature in only 10 cases of bacterial spondylitis. We review the bacteriological and clinical findings, predisposing conditions and the previously reported infections caused by Haemophilus aphrophilus. The patient responded well to antibiotic treatment with ciprofloxacin.