Spondylodiscitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae

Two previously healthy adults, a man aged 69 and a woman aged 51 years, presented with spondylitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. One patient had fever and acute pain in the neck, the other progressive pain in the lower back. From cultures of blood and bone respectively. S. agalactiae was isolated. Both patients recovered after treatment with benzylpenicillin. S. agalactiae (group B streptococcus) is a wellknown cause of invasive infections in neonates and pregnant adults. Infections in nonpregnant adults are increasingly reported. Chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus are strongly associated with disease caused by S. agalactiae.