Affiliation:
1. Department of Aging, Orthopaedic and Rheumatological Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy,
2. Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology, IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy,
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to report a case of Parvimonas micra-related spondylodiscitis (PMSD) and conduct a systematic review of the literature to identify clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic assessment and treatment outcomes. This research was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A systematic review of the Literature indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases was performed from 1970 to December 2023 using search terms “vertebral,” “spinal,” “infection,” “spondylodiscitis,” “discitis,” “osteomyelitis,” “Parvimonas,” and “micra.” The systematic review identified 34 cases of PMSD in addition to the reported case after the screening of 472 titles and abstracts. Patients reported several clinical presentations, with back pain being the most common symptom. Treatment strategies included antibiotic therapy alone or in combination with surgery, resulting in favorable outcomes for the majority of patients. However, challenges such as delayed diagnosis and lack of standardized treatment protocols were observed. The P. micra is an emerging pathogen in spinal infections, particularly in patients with predisposing factors. This study highlights the need for heightened awareness among healthcare providers regarding the potential role of anaerobic bacteria in spondylodiscitis. Standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols are warranted to improve outcomes for patients with PMSD.