We describe a rare case of severe primary spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii in a 45-year-old immunocompetent woman with no relevant comorbidities. The surgical site infection arose after a L4–L5 microdiscectomy and resulted in severe clinical disability. Allegations of possible negligence as the cause prompted a forensic review to clarify the original source and transmission of this uncommon pathogen, which dismissed its cause as due to malpractice during treatment.
A case of surgical site infection with severe spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii in an adult healthy woman: how to apply medico-legal method to deny malpractice hypothesis in suspected healthcare-associated infection / Urso, R.; Del Prete, S.; D'Antonio, G.; Sorace, L.; Albore, M.; Bolino, G.. - In: THE MEDICO-LEGAL JOURNAL. - ISSN 0025-8172. - (2024). [10.1177/00258172241227658]
A case of surgical site infection with severe spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii in an adult healthy woman: how to apply medico-legal method to deny malpractice hypothesis in suspected healthcare-associated infection
Del Prete S.
;D'Antonio G.;Albore M.;
2024
Abstract
We describe a rare case of severe primary spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii in a 45-year-old immunocompetent woman with no relevant comorbidities. The surgical site infection arose after a L4–L5 microdiscectomy and resulted in severe clinical disability. Allegations of possible negligence as the cause prompted a forensic review to clarify the original source and transmission of this uncommon pathogen, which dismissed its cause as due to malpractice during treatment.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
