Microbiologically and Clinically Diagnosed Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Impact of Prior Antibiotic Exposure

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed medical records to identify the factors that affect the results of culture in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. In multivariate analysis, the presence of paravertebral abscess was associated with positive results of microbiologic culture. Prior antibiotic exposure, especially of longer duration, was strongly associated with negative results.