Description
Discitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pyrexia of unknown origin. We believe this is the first reported case of pyogenic discitis due to Staphylococcal Xylosus. Pyogenic discitis is often difficult to diagnose due to insidious presentation with non-specific symptoms, however back pain is virtually always present. The frequent route of infection is haematogenous, with staphylococcal aureus being the commonest organism identified. Diagnosis depends on microbiological and radiological evidence for infection in the vertebral disc. Mortality is around 5-10%, however 57% recover completely with medical or surgical treatment.
