A definite case of spondylodiscitis caused by Streptococcus equisimilis

To shed light on the role of Streptococcus equisimilis (SE) in the pathogen esis of intervertebral disc infection, we report here a case of lumbar spon dylodiscitis in a 37-year-old male caused by SE, with identification of thi s strain by cultures from L4-L5 lumbar disc biopsy. Intravenous therapy wit h penicillin and gentamycin combined with immobilization resulted in a rapi d and complete recovery. The patient did not have underlying disease and sh owed no obvious history of exposure to animals. We conclude that SE may be responsible for both septic arthritis and spondylodiscitis.