ABSTRACT

Spinal infections are relatively uncommon but have potentially poor consequences if not diag-nosed and treated correctly. Compromised im-munologic responsiveness, either transient or permanent, predisposes patients to more frequ-ent and more severe infections. Infection treat-ment must include treatment of immun compro-mising underlying condition. The pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has ca-used a rise in tuberculosis and extremely rare spinal infections caused by fungus, virus and atypical bacteria that usually are nonpathogenic. Immun system and altered immun status inves-tigated and management of spinal infections discussed in this review.