Infectious spondylitis is an infection of a person’s spine. Although it is a rare condition, it can be serious or life threatening. Causes and risk factors can include surgery, drug use, and other health conditions.

Infectious spondylitis usually results from bacteria or other germs. People may develop infectious spondylitis after a medical procedure or if an infection spreads from elsewhere in their body. Several health conditions may also raise the risk of developing it.

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Spondylitis is inflammation in a person’s spine. If an infection causes this inflammation, a person has infectious spondylitis. It affects the main part of the vertebrae and the tissues around them. A person’s vertebrae are the bones that make up their spine.

Infectious spondylitis accounts for 5% of all skeletal infections and can be life threatening. It may be fatal for 1% to 20% of people, depending on their condition and its cause.

Spondylodiscitis also affects the spine, involving a person’s vertebrae and the disks between them. Some sources may use this term interchangeably with spondylitis.

People develop infectious spondylitis due to bacteria or other germs. These infections may result from surgery. They can also come from infections that enter a person’s blood and then travel to their spine.

These infections can start in several other places in a person’s body, such as their:

  • genitourinary system
  • blood
  • soft tissues, such as fat, muscles, and other tissues that connect and support body parts
  • gastrointestinal system (digestive system)

The infections may be due to:

  • surgery on or close to a person’s spine
  • dental treatment
  • intravenous drug use

The type of infectious spondylitis a person has depends on the infection that causes it:

  • Pyogenic spondylitis: This occurs due to bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli can both cause pyogenic spondylitis.
  • Tuberculous spondylitis: Also called Pott disease or spinal tuberculosis. It spreads to a person’s spine in their blood. People may have symptoms for several years before a healthcare professional makes a diagnosis.
  • Fungal spondylitis: This can occur due to some fungal infections. This is a rare form of infectious spondylitis.

Infectious spondylitis affects males about twice as often as females. Other risk factors that may raise a person’s risk of infectious spondylitis include:

The main symptom of infectious spondylitis is pain. However, a person may have several other symptoms with some types of the condition, including:

  • back or neck pain
  • neurological deficits, changed functions that affect a region of the body
  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • anorexia
  • weight loss
  • lethargy
  • confusion

Healthcare professionals typically use imaging scans of a person’s spine to help diagnose infectious spondylitis. They often use MRI scans, which create images of a person’s body using magnets and radio waves. They may also use CT scans.

Healthcare professionals must properly identify the bacteria or another infectious substance causing a person’s infection. This allows them to prescribe the correct treatment. Typically, a doctor may order laboratory tests, such as blood work or vertebral biopsies, to help identify the cause of the infection.

However, as symptoms of infectious spondylitis are nonspecific, diagnosis can be difficult and may take 1 to 6 months.

Healthcare professionals use long-term antibiotic or antifungal treatments for spinal infections. The type of medication may vary for each person based on their circumstances, including their age.

Treatment usually requires a person to stay in the hospital for several weeks, and they may need to remain stationary during this time. Some types of infectious spondylitis require at least 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment.

Healthcare professionals may also use surgery to treat damage to a person’s spine or any complications.

They will also perform follow-up checks, such as more tests and scans, to ensure treatments are effective.

People should seek medical attention immediately if they have symptoms of a spinal infection. Early diagnosis and treatment can stop the infection from progressing and make treatment easier. Without treatment, the infection may cause permanent damage to a person’s spine and the areas around it.

Symptoms may include:

  • any new neurological deficits, such as:
    • weakness of their arms or legs
    • bowel or bladder incontinence
  • fever that medication cannot manage

People should also seek urgent medication attention if they have back pain with any of the following symptoms:

  • numbness and tingling
  • severe back pain that does not improve with medication
  • back pain with:
    • difficulty urinating
    • fever
    • unintended weight loss
    • weakness, pain, or numbness in their legs

Infectious spondylitis is a rare infection of the spine that can be serious or fatal. It may develop after surgery or due to other infections. Several conditions and a person’s sex may raise the risk of developing it.

Healthcare professionals use lab tests and imaging scans to help diagnose infectious spondylitis. They usually treat a person in hospital over several months. They may also use surgery to treat any complications.

People should seek immediate medical attention if they have symptoms of a spinal infection. Early treatment can help stop infection progression and avoid complications.