RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Streptococcal and enterococcal spondylodiscitis (vertebral osteomyelitis). High incidence of infective endocarditis in 50 cases. JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 91 OP 97 VO 33 IS 1 A1 Denis Mulleman A1 Peggy Philippe A1 Eric Senneville A1 Chantal Costes A1 Lisbeth Fages A1 Xavier Deprez A1 René-Marc Flipo A1 Bernard Duquesnoy YR 2006 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/33/1/91.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical, biological, and imaging features and outcomes of patients with streptococcal and enterococcal spondylodiscitis (SESD). METHODS: This retrospective study of patients with SESD was carried out in 2 departments of rheumatology from 1990 through 2002. Comparison was made with cases of staphylococcal spondylodiscitis (SSD) seen during the same period, excluding postoperative cases. RESULTS: Fifty cases of SESD were reviewed and compared with 86 cases of SSD. The main finding was a higher frequency of concomitant infective endocarditis in patients with SESD (11/42 vs 1/37; p = 0.009). Evidence of inflammation, imaging features, and neurological impairment at admission appeared to be less severe in SESD, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Duration of treatment was shorter in SESD than in SSD (105 +/- 26 days vs 130 +/- 49 days; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the high incidence of infective endocarditis (26%) during SESD. Clinicians must look for predisposing factors and clinical abnormalities in patients with spondylodiscitis whenever a streptococcal or enterococcal agent is identified. Echocardiography should be performed as routine in such situations.