Osteomyelitis

Last updated: Friday, 06, August, 2010
CausesAppropriate Tests

Blood culture, pus - microscopy and culture (collected at intra-operative drainage procedure or by aspiration), wound swab microscopy and culture if contiguous skin lesion present, bone biopsy.

FBC, blood film, differential WCC; CRP.

Bacterial infection

Staphylococcus aureus

Gram-negative bacilli

    Aerobes

  • Haemophilus influenzae 

In children: see Haemophilus influenzae infection.

  • Escherichia coli
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Salmonella sp

    Anaerobes

  • Bacteroides fragilis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis 

Pus, bone biopsy (including FNAB) - mycobacteria testing.

See also Tuberculosis.