Infectious spondylodiscitis: Epidemiology, diagnosis, microbiological findings, clinical features and outcomes in a 14-year retrospective study
S. aureus remains the leading pathogen in IS. Blood cultures play a key role, yielding positive in half of pyogenic cases. PET/CT surpassed leukocyte scintigraphy and improved MRI diagnostic accuracy. Lumbar involvement correlates with better outcomes, and open biopsy provides a higher diagnostic yield than percutaneous TC-guided biopsy. Empirical therapy is required in one-third of cases.
Authors
- Nicholas Geremia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7988-5419)
- Leonello Tacconi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3915-5635)
- Roberto Luzzati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5546-0715)
- Filippo Mearelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5862-9077)
- Donatella Giacomazzi
- Marina Busetti
- F Zadra
- Maria Assunta Cova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8411-1001)
- Manuela Di Santolo
- Marco Cavallaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6197-2629)
- Stefano Di Bella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6121-7009)
- Verena Zerbato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9204-032X)
- Jacopo Conti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0032-5545)
- Venera Costantino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6529-5653)
- Gianni Biolo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6397-1598)
- Stella Babich
Institutions
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT)
- University of Trieste (IT)
- Ospedale di Cattinara (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena (IT)
- Ospedale San Paolo (IT)
- Ospedale dell' Angelo (IT)
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
- Published
- 2025-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-025-05292-5
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.01