Neisseria elongata osteomyelitis: Literature review and case report in a 63-year-old male presenting with progressive right-handed redness, swelling and pain

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports Vol. 73; pp. 228 - 230
• Main Authors: Spielman, Amanda F, Ghumman, Ammara, Panthaki, Zubin, Lessard, Anne-Sophie
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2020
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.07.022

INTRODUCTIONNeisseria elongata, a gram-negative rod, has been identified in 23 cases of pathogenesis in the literature, of which only 2 were osteomyelitis. Here we report the third known case of isolated N. elongata cultures in a digital osteomyelitis. PRESENTATION OF CASEA 63-year-old male with peripheral vascular disease and lower extremity wounds presented to his vascular surgeon with right-handed redness and pain requiring urgent surgical intervention. Irrigation, debridement, and partial thumb amputation were performed, followed by treatment with a 6-week course of antibiotics. DISCUSSIONN. elongata is a rare cause of osteomyelitis and unfamiliarity with the causal organism and rod-like morphology may delay diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONGram-negative coverage should be considered in high-risk populations with cellulitis to prevent progression to fulminant abscesses, suppurative tenosynovitis and osteomyelitis.