Concomitant endocarditis and spondylodiscitis due to coagulase-negative Staphylococci and a review of the literature
Karlijn M.G. Houkes,
Saskia E. Mudde,
Alina A. Constantinescu,
Nelianne J. Verkaik,
Erlangga Yusuf
Affiliations
Karlijn M.G. Houkes
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Saskia E. Mudde
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Corresponding author at: Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Alina A. Constantinescu
Department of Cardiology, Thorax Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Nelianne J. Verkaik
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Erlangga Yusuf
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are part of the normal skin flora. Although CoNS are generally considered as low pathogenic microorganisms, they can cause serious infections, particularly in the context of foreign body material. Case report: Here we present two cases of concomitant infectious endocarditis and spondylodiscitis; one caused by S. epidermidis, the other by S. haemolyticus. Additionally, we reviewed the literature for previously reported cases of concomitant endocarditis and spondylodiscitis due to CoNS. Conclusion: In patients with back pain and a cardiac device in situ, CoNS should be considered as causative pathogens for possible endocarditis and/or spondylodiscitis, and should not be regarded as contamination.
