Two cases of iatrogenic infection with Streptococcus viridans: meningitidis and spondylodiscitis

Introduction. - The multiplication of invasive spine investigations for either diagnostic or therapeutical purposes increases the risk for iatrogenic infections. We report two cases of iatrogenic infections, one case of meningitidis and one case of spondylodiscitis due to Streptococcus viridans. Exegesis. - The two cases included a 42-year-old male patient presenting with spondylodiscitis due to Streptococcus oralis following nucleolysis for discal node and a 51-year-old female patient with purulent meningitidis due to Streptococcus salivarius following hysteroscopy with spinal anesthesia. According to the disease chronology and bacterial results, iatrogenesis was evidenced. The streptococci originate from the patient's skin or from the operators' endobuccal flora. Conclusion. - Simple aseptic rules, including wearing a surgical mask during any spinal tap, would definitely avoid iatrogenic infections. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.