Postoperative infection following anterior cervical fusion surgery caused by Prevotella oris: a case report

Postoperative infections following spinal fusion procedures are commonly caused by pathogens such as <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, coagulase-negative <i>Staphylococcus</i>, <i>Streptococcus</i> species, and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. However, cases involving <i>Prevotella oris</i> as a causative agent are rarely documented in the literature. We report a case of postoperative infection after anterior cervical spinal fusion surgery. After empirical antimicrobial therapy failed, high-throughput nucleic acid sequencing detected <i>Prevotella oris</i> in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid-a rare and previously unreported finding. Upon switching to a more sensitive antibiotic regimen, the patient's symptoms improved significantly. This case highlights an unusual etiology and provides a comprehensive documentation of the treatment process, aiming to assist clinicians in the diagnosis and management of similar infections.