Fungal postoperative spondylodiscitis due to Scedosporium prolificans

Background contextPostoperative fungal spondylodiscitis is a rare infectious disease.PurposeWe report the first case of postoperative spondylodiscitis because of Scedosporium prolificans and review postoperative vertebral infection caused by fungi.Study design/settingMedline search.MethodsCase report and literature review.ResultsOn reviewing the cases of postoperative fungal spondylodiscitis reported so far in the literature, we found eight were caused by mold, and five by yeast. Clinically, the disease presents similar to postoperative vertebral osteomyelitis caused by bacteria, and a high clinical index of suspicion may be required to perform appropriate cultures to establish a diagnosis. Our review revealed a significant number of cases that were cured after surgical debridement and/or antifungal therapy.ConclusionsOn the basis of this limited assessment, it appears that the clinical course and prognosis of postoperative fungal spondylodiscitis is similar to that reported for postoperative pyogenic spondylodiscitis.