Vertebral Osteomyelitis due to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

ONLY 52 cases ofActinobacillus actinomycetemcomitansinfection have been recorded from the United States and Europe.1,2Most of the patients described had endocarditis. We report here an unusual case of systemic Aactinomycetemcomitansinfection in which there was no evidence of endocarditis. This patient had vertebral osteomyelitis and axillary abscesses. To our knowledge, hematogenous osteomyelitis due toA actinomycetemcomitanshas not been previously recognized. Report of a Case A 45-year-old accountant was in excellent health until November 1976, when he experienced lower back pain not associated with trauma, physical strain, or any systemic symptoms. Results of physical examination and urinalysis were normal. Roentgenogram of the lumbosacral spine and an intravenous urogram were normal. The patient received analgesics and physical therapy. Over the next two months, his pain worsened and at times radiated to the right hip and leg. During this period he denied fever, chills, or night sweats. By