Isolated lumbar vertebral infection caused by Coxiella burnetii: A case report and literature review

This study describes the clinical characteristics and treatment of vertebral infection caused by Coxiella burnetii through a case report and literature review. We present a 60-year-old male with isolated lumbar vertebral infection. A comprehensive literature review identified 17 cases, with 82.4 % of patients over 50 years old. Common symptoms included lumbar pain and fever, while 52.9 % developed adjacent vertebral infections through abdominal aortic aneurysms. Only 17.6 % presented as isolated vertebral infections. Radiological evidence of vertebral destruction was observed in all cases, with no cardiac valve involvement. Treatment involved doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine, fluoroquinolones, rifampicin, and surgical intervention, resulting in favorable outcomes. Isolated vertebral infections caused by Coxiella burnetii are extremely rare and pose significant diagnostic challenges. Early surgical intervention, effective diagnostic methods, and standardized anti-infective therapy are crucial for management. This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment for this rare condition.