Epidemiology

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Etiology

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Routes of infection

• Hematogenous spread from a distant focus (e.g., skin and soft tissue infection, urinary tract infection)
• Direct inoculation (e.g., during spinal surgery or due to trauma)
• Contiguous spread from adjacent infections (e.g., aorta, esophagus)

Pathogens

• Common
  • Staphylococcus aureus (most common, accounting for > 40% of cases)
  • Escherichia coli (second most common)

Risk factors

• Age > 50 years
• Sickle cell disease
• Immunocompromise: e.g., steroid use, HIV infection
• Intravenous drug use
• Recent bacteremia
• Infective endocarditis
• Recent spinal surgery and instrumentation
• Intravascular devices
• Malnutrition
• Chronic medical conditions:
  • Diabetes mellitus

Pathophysiology

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Clinical features

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Diagnostics

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Treatment

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