An immunocompetent host with blood-disseminated Aspergillus versicolor spondylitis: a case report and literature review.

Blood-disseminated Aspergillus spondylitis in immunocompetent individuals is rare. The clinical, imaging, and pathological manifestations of this condition are not specific. Therefore, this disease is prone to misdiagnosis and a missed diagnosis. Systemic antifungal therapy is the main treatment for Aspergillus spondylitis. We report a case of blood-disseminated Aspergillus versicolor spondylitis in a patient with normal immune function. The first antifungal treatment lasted for 4 months, but Aspergillus spondylitis recurred a few months later. A second antifungal treatment course was initiated for at least 1 year, and follow-up has been ongoing. Currently, there has been no recurrence.

Doxycycline as a Potential MMP-1 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Spondylitis Tuberculosis: A Study in Rabbit Model.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) of the spine is a highly disruptive disease, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. This condition requires standard TB treatment for 9-18 months, which increases patient risk of drug-resistant TB. Consequently, this raises the concern of adopting additional therapies to shorten the treatment duration, improve the efficacy of anti-TB drugs, and further decrease damage in the affected tissues and organs. Matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 1 is a key regulator of the destruction of the extracellular matrix and associated proteins and is a new potential target for TB treatment research. In the present study, we investigated the effects of doxycycline as an MMP-1 inhibitor in patients with spondylitis TB. Methods: Seventy-two New Zealand white rabbits with spondylitis TB were divided into 12 different groups based on incubation period (2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks) and doxycycline administration (without, 1 mg/kg body weight (BW), and 5 mg/kg BW). We observed the course of infection through the blood concentration changes and immunohistochemical examination of MMP-1, in addition to BTA staining, culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histopathological examination. Results: Treatment with once daily 5 mg/kg BW doxycycline significantly improved the blood MMP-1 level (p < 0.05) compared with the placebo and 1 mg/kg BW doxycycline. A significantly reduced ongoing infection and a higher healing rate were demonstrated in rabbits with a higher doxycycline dose through BTA staining, culture, PCR, and histopathology. Various degrees of vertebral endplates, vertebral body, and intervertebral disc destruction were observed in 32 rabbits with positive histopathological findings, in addition to positive inflammatory cell infiltration, characterized by numerous lymphocytes, macrophages, and epithelial cells, as well as abundant granulation tissue and necrotic substances proximal to the inoculated vertebral area. Bone and intervertebral disc destructions were more apparent in the untreated rabbits. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the potential of doxycycline as an adjunctive treatment in spondylitis TB. However, limitations remain regarding the differences in the pathogenesis and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis between rabbit and human systems, sample size, and the dose-dependent effect of doxycycline. Further studies are needed to address these issues.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Psoriatic Spondylitis Versus Those With Ankylosing Spondylitis: Features at Baseline Before Biologic Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Clinical characteristics and manifestations of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have been extensively studied in western countries, yet data of Korean patients with PsA are very limited. We aimed to investigate the clinical traits of patients with PsA and dissect the characteristics of those with axial involvement. METHODS: In this observational study, we analyzed clinical data of 109 patients with PsA who were enrolled in the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics and Targeted Therapy registry between December 2012 and March 2022 at the time point of initiating or switching to a biologic agent. Data from 2,221 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) registered during the same period were also analyzed. We divided patients with PsA into patients with or without axial involvement and then added AS patients with psoriasis (total three subgroups) for comparative analyses. RESULTS: Asymmetric oligoarthritis was the most common clinical manifestation in patients with PsA, followed by symmetric polyarthritis and spondylitis. Our analysis indicated that methotrexate and sulfasalazine were the two most prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for patients with PsA before starting biologic therapy. The patients with psoriatic spondylitis had more peripheral joint involvement (P = 0.016), less prior uveitis (P < 0.001), and lower human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) positivity (P < 0.001) than the AS patients with psoriasis. Furthermore, syndesmophytes and radiographic sacroiliitis were prevalent among patients with PsA and AS patients with psoriasis who had the HLA-B27 gene. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the degree of peripheral arthritis is less severe in Korean patients with PsA who require biologics and reestablishes that psoriatic spondylitis is a common and important clinical pattern in Korean patients with PsA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01965132.

Infectious aortitis from pyogenic spondylitis and psoas abscess: Case report.

Infectious aortitis has various causes, presents mainly with an aneurysm, and is fatal without surgical intervention. This case report describes an 89-year-old woman who developed fever and back pain which initially diagnosed infectious aortitis confirmed through contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Pyogenic spondylitis and psoas abscess, which were not visible through CT at admis-sion, were identified as the cause of infectious aortitis confirmed through positron emission tomography (PET). After percutaneous drainage and intravenous antibiotics, the patient was discharged in good condition and without surgical intervention. This case report emphasizes the critical role of PET in identifying the cause of infectious aortitis and demonstrates the effectiveness of successive treat-ment with antibiotics and timely radiologic intervention.

Clinical profile, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with tubercular versus nontubercular causes of spine involvement: A retrospective cohort study from India.

Background: In tuberculosis (TB) endemic areas, other pyogenic causes of spine involvement may be missed. The study aimed to describe TB and non-TB causes of spine involvement and identify features that can help in differentiating them. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to screen the clinical records of all admitted patients (Kasturba Hospital, Manipal) in 2018-20 for a diagnosis of spondylitis and/or sacroiliitis. The clinical features, radiological findings, laboratory parameters, treatment details, and outcomes were compared among those diagnosed with confirmed TB, confirmed brucellosis, or confirmed pyogenic infection. A scoring system was also developed to differentiate spondylodiscitis due to tuberculous and pyogenic causes. The qualitative variables were compared using the Chi-square test, while quantitative variables were compared using the one-way analysis of variance test. Results: Of 120 patients with spine infections, a total of 85 patients were confirmed with the microbiological diagnosis of interest. Involvement of the thoracic spine, longer duration of illness, and caseous granulomatous reaction on histopathology was more common in TB patients. Male gender, involvement of lumbar vertebra, and neutrophilic infiltrate on histopathology were more common in brucellosis patients. Male gender, diabetes mellitus, involvement of lumbar vertebra, neutrophilic infiltrate on histopathology, leukocytosis, and increased C-reactive protein were more commonly seen in patients with pyogenic infection. The scoring system had a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 91%, respectively, when used to differentiate TB from pyogenic infection. Conclusions: In resource-limited settings, suggestive findings can be used to decide empiric therapy.

Risk factors of multidrug-resistant pyogenic spondylitis in thoraco-lumbar spine: A retrospective study of 122 cases.

BACKGROUND: The number of spinal infections has been increasing in developed countries due to the increase of aged or immunosuppressed patients. Spondylitis caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection often become intractable and require long-term antibiotic therapy and multiple surgeries. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand risk factors for MDR spinal infections. The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for MDR bacterial spondylitis. METHODS: A total of 122 patients (82 men, 40 women; average age: 63.8 y) with thoracic/lumbar spondylitis who underwent posterolateral full-endoscopic debridement and irrigation were included. The organisms detected by this endoscopic procedure were investigated, and the incidence and risk factors for MDR bacterial infection were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Cultures of specimens obtained by endoscopic procedures were positive in 78 patients (63.9%). Among 68 isolated bacteria, MDR bacteria accounted for 47.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that significant risk factors for MDR bacterial infection included autoimmune connective tissue disease (P = 0.03) and central venous catheter (P = 0.02). The incidence of MDR bacteria in patients who were administered a broad-spectrum antibiotic for more than 1 month preoperatively was 64.0%, which was significantly higher than in patients who were administered a broad-spectrum antibiotic for less than 1 month and patients who were administered a narrow-spectrum antibiotic (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The significant risk factors for MDR bacterial spondylitis included immunosuppressed conditions, such as autoimmune connective tissue disease, presence of central venous catheter, and longer administration periods of a broad-spectrum antibiotic. In patients with pyogenic spondylitis who could not be controlled with previous antibiotics and whose result of culture was negative, administration of anti-MRSA antibiotics would be considered when they have the risk factors identified in this study.

[A Case of Intractable Pyogenic Spondylitis Due to Suture Failure and MRSA Infection Secondary to Surgery for Ascending Colon Cancer].

A 79-year-old man diagnosed with ascending colon cancer underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy(Stage Ⅱ). Postoperatively, suture failure occurred on Day 5 and was alleviated with conservative therapy. However, on Day 23, he was diagnosed with MRSA-induced sepsis with a body temperature of 39 °C. After administration of vancomycin, his general conditions stabilized, although intermittent low-grade fever and a high C-reactive protein(CRP)level persisted. Although the source of the infection could not be easily identified, he was diagnosed with suppurative spondylitis after lumbar MRI examination on Day 43. The CRP level was normalized with long-term administration of antibiotics and the symptoms were gradually improved with rehabilitation. The patient was discharged after approximately 4 months and could walk without assistance 8 months postoperatively. In this case, purulent spondylitis may have occurred via hematogenous infection due to the suture failure after surgery for ascending colon cancer. Purulent spondylitis is a relatively rare disease. However, it may lead to the patient requiring long-term treatment and cause serious sequelae. Therefore, it is important to keep this disease in mind when treating patients with postoperative fever of unknown origin or aggravating lower back pain.

Clinical Effect of Doxycycline Combined with Compound Sulfamethoxazole and Rifampicin in the Treatment of Brucellosis Spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical value of triple antibiotic therapy consisting of doxycycline, compound sulfamethoxazole and rifampicin in the treatment of brucellosis spondylitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 patients with brucellosis spondylitis admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from March 2016 to June 2019. Patients were divided into the following two groups: the control group (n = 50) treated with dual antibiotic therapy (rifampicin + compound sulfamethoxazole), and the observation group (n = 50) treated with triple antibiotic therapy (rifampicin + doxycycline + compound sulfamethoxazole). The treatment effect, low back pain relief, levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as the adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The response rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the low back pain assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS), or levels of ESR, PCT and CRP between the two groups (P > 0.05). But after treatment, the VAS score and the levels of ESR, PCT and CRP in observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the incidence of adverse reactions (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The triple antibiotic therapy of doxycycline, compound sulfamethoxazole and rifampicin is effective in the treatment of brucellosis spondylitis. It can significantly alleviate patients' back pain and inflammation with a high safety profile, which is worthy of clinical application.

Case Report of Infectious Spondylitis Caused by Kytococcus sedentarius.

BACKGROUND: Kytococcus species has not been considered a pathogen, but infections caused by this species are increasing. There are several cases of infections caused by Kytococcus sedentarius, but no case of infectious spondylitis has been reported yet. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old female patient was hospitalized because of back pain for several months. She was diagnosed with infectious spondylitis, and K. sedentarius was cultured from the pus and specimen obtained during the surgical procedure. The patient recovered completely without recurrence after 6 months of treatment with ciprofloxacin alone for 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report of infectious spondylitis caused by K. sedentarius.

Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps).

BACKGROUND: Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae that leads to a destructive process with exuberant new bone formation. Osteomyelitis can produce a distortion of the bone architecture, degenerative joint changes and ankyloses of adjacent vertebrae. In reptiles, intervertebral discs are absent, so the term discospondylitis is not used. In lizards, vertebral lesions have not been well studied. The present paper describes the first case of Klebsiella sp.-related spondylitis in a pet lizard (Pogona vitticeps). CASE PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old, female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for clinical examination due to a decreased activity level, decreased appetite and constipation. Blood tests showed no remarkable alterations. The haemogram showed normal parameters with relative lymphocytosis, although the absolute number of lymphocytes did not differ from the reference values. A computed tomography scan revealed a mixed osteolytic-proliferative bone lesion diffusing to the first and last tracts of the pre-sacral vertebrae together. A small amount of material obtained from the spinal swelling was sampled with an aseptic technique for bacterial culture, which was positive for Klebsiella sp. The antibiogram revealed sensitivity to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and chloramphenicol and intermediate sensitivity to gentamicin. Complete return to spontaneous feeding was achieved 15 days after the beginning of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In veterinary medicine, spondylitis represents a well-known disease in small companion animals. In mammals, the most common aetiologic agents are fungi and bacteria. Antibiotic therapy was set based on the antibiogram, and marbofloxacin was chosen at a dosage of 10 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) once per day (SID). After only 7 days of antibiotic therapy, the clinical condition improved significantly; the patient started feeding and drinking spontaneously and gained weight. This case should remind clinicians of the importance of always performing antibiograms before choosing any antibiotic therapy. Considering reptiles, there have been few papers about spinal diseases, mostly regarding snakes and a few about Iguana iguana. Relative to other species of saurians, the literature remains lacking.

Case report: Candida krusei spondylitis in an immunocompromised patient.

BACKGROUND: Invasive infections with Candida krusei are uncommon and rarely complicated by spondylitis. Previous described cases were solely treated with antimycotic therapy, despite guidelines recommending surgical interventions. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of C. krusei spondylitis in a patient treated with chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. After induction chemotherapy, the patient developed a candidemia, which was treated with micafungin. One month after the candidemia, the patient was admitted with severe lumbar pain. Spondylitis of the L4 and L5 vertebra was diagnosed on MR-imaging, with signs suggesting an atypical infection. The patient was treated with anidulafungin combined with voriconazole. Despite maximal conservative management symptoms gradually worsened eventually requiring surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous case reports, antimycotic treatment alone could be insufficient in treating C. krusei spondylitis.

Sneathia amnii, an unusual pathogen in spondylitis: A case report.

Sneathia amnii is an opportunistic pathogen of the female reproductive tract that has been reported to cause infections during pregnancy and in the post-partum period. Infections outside the reproductive tract have rarely been described. We report the case of a spondylitis due to S. amnii in a 72-year old woman, successfully treated after seven weeks of antimicrobial therapy. Growth of this pathogen guided our diagnosis towards a gynecological pathology; we discovered an endometrium adenocarcinoma. This case emphasizes the need for adequate incubation of discal biopsies, using aerobic and anaerobic enrichment broth with prolonged incubation.

Non-contiguous extensive multifocal spinal tuberculosis- treating uncommon scenarios.

Noncontiguous multiple tuberculous spondylitis is not uncommon, and most of the reported cases have lesions only on 2 or 3 levels. To the best of our knowledge, multifocal extensive spinal TB involving the whole spine is rarely reported in the literature, which may be presented as asymptomatic and have a higher incidence of neurological complications. It is noticeable that the possibility of TB is considered for any skip lesions involving the spine cautiously. Diagnosis and treatment at early stages would resolve the neurological deficits without operation.

Ceftriaxone-associated Pseudolithiasis in the Gallbladder and Bile Duct of an Elderly Patient.

A 78-year-old man had been undergoing treatment with Cefamezin for pyogenic spondylitis. Because of complication of a urinary tract infection, the medication was switched to ceftriaxone (CTRX) 2 g/day. On day 18 after starting CTRX, the patient began experiencing abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound led to the identification of calculi in the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct with a peculiar formation. We suspected CTRX-associated pseudo-cholecystolithiasis and pseudo-choledocholithiasis, although CT performed at admission had shown no such findings. Therefore, CTRX was discontinued. By day 17 after CTRX cessation, both the pseudo-cholecystolithiasis and pseudo-choledocholithiasis had disappeared.

An updated review of infliximab biosimilar, CT-P13, in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

The introduction of anti-TNFs, such as infliximab (IFX), has revolutionized the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Anti-TNF agents have shown outstanding efficacy and long-term improvement of clinical outcomes, but the cost has been relatively high. Out of this concern, several 'biosimilar' drugs of anti-TNF agents have been developed. CT-P13, the first biosimilar of reference IFX, was approved by the European Medicines Agency and licensed by the US FDA for use in all indications of IFX. This updated review summarizes all aspects of CT-P13, including pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, and evaluates its efficacy, safety and immunogenicity for all indications based on the results of the latest clinical trials as well as on real-world experiences.

Effects of ustekinumab on spondylitis-associated endpoints in TNFi-naïve active psoriatic arthritis patients with physician-reported spondylitis: pooled results from two phase 3, randomised, controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The interleukin-12/23p40-subunit-inhibitor ustekinumab significantly improved spondylitis-related symptoms through Week 24 in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with peripheral arthritis and physician-reported spondylitis (PA-PRS) in PSUMMIT-1&2. We further evaluated ustekinumab's effect on spondylitis-related endpoints in PSUMMIT-1&2 tumour necrosis factor-inhibitor (TNFi)-naïve patients with PA-PRS. METHODS: Patients with active PsA (≥5 swollen and ≥5 tender joints, C-reactive-protein ≥ 3.0 mg/L) despite conventional (PSUMMIT-1&2) and/or prior TNFi (PSUMMIT-2) therapy received subcutaneous ustekinumab 45 mg, 90 mg or placebo (Week 0, Week 4, Week 16). Changes in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) neck/back/hip pain question (#2) and modified BASDAI (mBASDAI, excluding PA) scores and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) responses were assessed at Weeks 12 and 24. RESULTS: The pooled PSUMMIT-1&2, TNFi-naïve (n=747), PA-PRS (n=223) subset (158 with human-leucocyte-antigen (HLA)-B27 results) presented with moderate-to-severe spondylitis-related symptoms (mean BASDAI-neck/back/hip pain-6.51, mBASDAI-6.54, BASDAI-6.51, ASDAS-3.81). Mean Week 24 changes were larger among ustekinumab than placebo-treated patients for both neck/back/hip pain (-1.99 vs -0.18) and mBASDAI (-2.09 vs -0.59). Improvements in neck/back/hip pain and fatigue appeared numerically greater in HLA-B27+ than HLA-B27 - patients; those for other domains were generally consistent. Greater proportions of ustekinumab versus placebo-treated patients achieved ASDAS clinically important improvement at Week 24 (decrease ≥ 1.1; 49.6% vs 12.7%; nominal p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in BASDAI neck/back/hip pain and mBASDAI among ustekinumab-treated, TNFi-naïve, PsA patients with PA-PRS were clinically meaningful and consistent across assessment tools. Numerically greater improvements in neck/back/hip pain in HLA-B27+ than HLA-B27 - patients, noted in the context of similar overall mBASDAI improvements between the subgroups, suggest ustekinumab may improve disease activity in TNFi-naïve PsA patients likely to exhibit axial disease. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: PSUMMIT 1, NCT01009086; PSUMMIT 2, NCT01077362.

The peculiarities and treatment outcomes of the spinal form of chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis in children: a retrospective cohort study.

Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is a group of immune-mediated diseases which appears in bone inflammation, destruction and some orthopaedic consequences, especially in the cases of spinal involvement. This study is to compare characteristics and treatment outcomes of CNO patients with spinal involvement. The retrospective cohort study included data from 91 pediatric patients with CNO. The diagnosis is based on Jannson's criteria with morphological confirmation (nonspecific chronic inflammation). Spine involvement detected by X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scan in 29 (31.9%) patients. No differences in the family history, concomitant immune-mediated diseases between spinal (SpCNO) and peripheral (pCNO) forms of CNO have been revealed. Only 5 (10.2%) SpCNO patients (10.2%) had monofocal monovertebral involvement. The main risk factors of spinal involvement were female sex: RR = 2.0 (1.1; 3.9), sensitivity (Se) = 0.66, specificity (Sp) = 0.6; multifocal involvement: RR = 2.1 (0.9; 5.0), Se = 0.83, Sp = 0.37; no foot bones involvement: RR = 3.1 (1.3; 7.5), Se = 0.83, Sp = 0.5; sternum involvement RR = 2.3 (1.3; 4.1), Se = 0.24, Sp = 0.94. In the linear regression analysis only female sex (p = 0.005), multifocal involvement (p = 0.000001) and absence of foot bones involvement (p = 0.000001) were independent risk factors of spinal involvement (p = 0.000001). The response rate on bisphosphonates and tumor necrosis factor-a inhibitors was 90.9% and 66.7%, consequently. Only 4/29 (13.8%) SpCNO patients underwent surgery due to severe spinal instability or deformities. The spinal involvement is frequent in CNO and could be crucial for choosing a treatment strategy. Bisphosphonates and TNFa-inhibitors could be effective treatment options for severe SpCNO.

Simultaneous 18F-FDG PET/MRI in tuberculous spondylitis: an independent method for assessing therapeutic response - case series.

BACKGROUND: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) shows great potential for diagnosis and assessing therapeutic response of tuberculous spondylitis. Tuberculous spondylitis required long-term anti-tuberculosis (TB) medication therapy, and the optimal duration of therapy is controversial. There is still no clear way to tell when the anti-TB therapy can safely be discontinued. CASE PRESENTATION: Three patients with tuberculous spondylitis were evaluated for therapeutic response using 18F-FDG PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical and hematological improvements were achieved after about 12 months of anti-TB medication therapy, and we considered whether to discontinue the therapy. There was no relapse during one year of follow-up after discontinuation of 12 months anti-TB medication based on the low maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 1.83 in one patient. However, the other two patients continued further anti-TB medication therapy based on the high SUVmax of 4.14 and 7.02, which were suspected to indicate active residual lesions in the abscess or granulation tissues. Continuous TB was confirmed by the bacterial and histological examinations. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG PET/MRI has metabolic and anatomical advantages for assessing therapeutic response in TB spondylitis, and can be considered as a helpful independent and alternative method for determining the appropriate time to discontinue anti-TB medication.