Vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus agalactiae is a rare cause of vertebral osteomyelitis, We pre sent four cases of spondylitis caused by this micro-organism and a review o f 20 cases previously described in the literature, Only seven patients (29% ) were under 50 years of age. Diabetes mellitus and neoplasms were the most frequent underlying conditions, although 37.5% of the patients did not hav e any predisposition. Neck or hack pain was the most common symptom. Diagno sis depended mainly on magnetic resonance imaging. Blood cultures were posi tive in 50% of the patients. The duration of antibiotic therapy was 6 weeks for most patients. The outcome was favourable, with none of the patients s uffering serious sequelae. (C) 2000 The British Infection Society.