Streptococcal and enterococcal spondylodiscitis (vertebral osteomyelitis). High incidence of infective endocarditis in 50 cases.

Objective: To characterize the clinical, biological, and imaging features and outcomes of patients with streptococcal and enterococcal spondylodiscitis (SESD).

Methods: This retrospective study of patients with SESD was carried out in 2 departments of rheumatology from 1990 through 2002. Comparison was made with cases of staphylococcal spondylodiscitis (SSD) seen during the same period, excluding postoperative cases.