Bacteremia complicated by vertebral osteomyelitis due to Streptococcus bovis

The diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis is easily missed, especially in th e elderly in whom clinical signs of bacteremia might not be manifest. Spont aneously occurring disc-space infection in adults often has an insidious pr esentation. The infecting microorganism can be difficult to identify. Altho ugh discitis due to Streptococcus bovis is occasionally found, it is often difficult to fully confirm the diagnosis. Here, a case of vertebral osteomy elitis due to this microorganism is reported.