Parvimonas micra spondylodiscitis with psoas abscess.

Parvimonas micra (P. micra) is a Gram-positive anaerobic cocci, normally found in the oral cavity and rarely causes severe infections. We describe a rare clinical presentation of P. micra as spondylodiscitis and psoas abscess with haematogenous spread in an adult patient. MRI lumbar spine detected L2 and L3 spondylodiscitis. Blood cultures were positive at 48 hours of incubation and P. micra was identified on anaerobic culture after 72 hours. Isolates from bone biopsy confirms P. micra She was successfully treated with ceftriaxone, followed by oral metronidzole for a total of 8 weeks. The suspected origin of her P. micra was a dental cavity. Anaerobic bacteria tend to be underestimated in spondylodiscitis. In cases of slow growing organisms, we emphasise the importance of performing accurate identification including anaerobic bacteria to guide management. P. micra should be considered in patients with spondylodiscitis who had recent dental intervention or perioral infection. © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.