# Lactococcus garviae in Lumbar Spondylodiscitis With Spinal Epidural Abscess Causing Paraparesis: A Case Report

## TL;DR

This case report describes a rare infection of the spine caused by Lactococcus garviae, a bacterium typically found in fish and animals.

## Contribution

The paper presents the second known case of Lactococcus garviae causing spinal epidural abscess and spondylodiscitis in humans.

## Key findings

- Lactococcus garviae can cause spinal epidural abscess and spondylodiscitis in humans.
- The mechanism by which Lactococcus garviae caused the infection remains unclear in this case.

## Abstract

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) can lead to a subacute onset of neurological deficits of the extremities and is commonly accompanied by spondylodiscitis if located anterior to the dura. Lactococcus garviae is a fish pathogen that is occasionally found in poultry, cattle, and swine. It is a rare cause of infection in humans. Most commonly it is associated with endocarditis. Until 2019, less than 30 cases of human Lactoccous garviae infection have been published. To the best of our knowledge, we present the second reported case of SEA with spondylodiscitis caused by Lactococcus garviae. How Lactococcus garviae caused SEA, remains unclear in this case.