Spondylodiscitis associated with bacteraemia due to coagulase-negative staphylococci

Three cases are reported of spondylodiscitis caused by coagulase-negative s taphylococci in patients without osteosynthetic material. All three patient s had bacteraemia associated with an infected intravascular device left in place. On the basis of this observation, it is concluded that such devices should be removed promptly in cases of prolonged or relapsing bacteraemia. Furthermore, spondylodiscitis should be suspected in patients with back pai n after bacteraemia caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci.