The significance of Klebsiella pneumoniae spondylodiscitis in the Indian context

Authors

  • Shayosree Sarkar Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  • Seema P. Khetan Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  • Sunanda Zodpey Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20252434

Keywords:

Case report, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Meropenem, Spondylodiscitis

Abstract

A rare case of spontaneous spondylodiscitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in a 37-years-old man who presented with radiating low back pain is described in this case report. Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level were pertinent laboratory findings. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a paravertebral epidural collection at the L5–S1 level of the spine suggestive of spondylodiscitis. Repeated spinal surgeries and HBsAg seropositive status were the risk factors in this patient. Pus from the epidural abscess on culture grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. He was treated with an intravenous antimicrobial combination of meropenem and levofloxacin which resulted in disappearance of the pain. Extended infusion of meropenem played a key role in the prompt recovery. Two months later, MRI showed substantial improvement of the lesions.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Hall WA, Graeber A, Cecava ND. Vertebral Osteomyelitis. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls. 2025.

Sabio JM, López-Gómez M, Jiménez-Alonso J. Spontaneous spondylodiscitis caused by Klebsiella oxytoca. Ann Rheum Dis. 2002;1;61(8):758–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.61.8.758

Porras JA, Bayona C, Gutiérrez MC, Vidal F. Vertebral osteomyelitis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae. An Med Interna Madr Spain 1984. 1994;11(3):154–5.

Kouroussis C, Georgoulias V, Souglakos J, Simvoulakis E, Karabekios S, Samonis G. Spontaneous Spondylodiscitis Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Infection. 1999;1;27(6):368–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s150100050046

Liu W, Wang Y, Shi J, Dong G. Primary Klebsiella pneumoniae in Lumbar Spine: Case Report and Literature Review. 2024. Available at: https://www.researchsquare.com. Accessed on 21 February 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5306125/v1

Effah CY, Sun T, Liu S, Wu Y. Klebsiella pneumoniae: an increasing threat to public health. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2020;19(1):19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12941-019-0343-8

Nasto LA, Fantoni M, Cipolloni V, Piccone L, Pola E, Schiavone Panni A. A Detailed Analysis of Clinical Features and Outcomes of Patients with Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Presenting without Axial Back Pain. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2021;20;6(2):54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed6020054

Corrah TW, Enoch DA, Aliyu SH, Lever AM. Bacteraemia and subsequent vertebral osteomyelitis: a retrospective review of 125 patients. QJM Mon J Assoc Physicians. 2011;104(3):201–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcq178

Acosta FL, Galvez LF, Aryan HE, Ames CP. Recent advances: Infections of the spine. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2006;8(5):390–3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-006-0050-4

Hopkinson N. A case ascertainment study of septic discitis: clinical, microbiological and radiological features. QJM. 2001;94(9):465–70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/94.9.465

Shanmuganathan R, Ramachandran K, Shetty AP, Kanna RM. Active tuberculosis of spine: Current updates. North Am Spine Soc J NASSJ. 2023;16:100267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xnsj.2023.100267

Mackie TJ. Mackie & McCartney practical medical microbiology 14th edition. New York: Churchill Livingstone. 2006.

CLSI. Performance Standards of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. 34th ed. CLSI supplement M100. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. 2024.

Honan M, White GW, Eisenberg GM. Spontaneous infectious discitis in adults. Am J Med. 1996;1;100(1):85–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9343(96)90016-9

Konkayev A, Kadralinova A, Azimova B, Tazhibayeva D, Yeltayeva A, Konkayeva M. Usage of Meropenem Continuous Infusion for Treatment of Infectious Complications in Orthopedic Elderly Patients with Anemia: A Case Series. Med Kaunas Lith. 2024;60(6):929. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060929

Downloads

Published

2025-07-30

How to Cite

Sarkar, S., Khetan, S. P., & Zodpey, S. (2025). The significance of Klebsiella pneumoniae spondylodiscitis in the Indian context. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 13(8), 3530–3532. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20252434

Issue

Section

Case Reports