Articles | Volume 11, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-373-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-373-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Integrating molecular and conventional diagnostics in native vertebral osteomyelitis: a narrative review
Farzad Pourghazi
Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
Omar Mahmoud
Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
Francesco Petri
Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco University Hospital, Regional Center for Infectious Diseases (CEREMI), Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy
Said El Zein
Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
Gina A. Suh
Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
Takahiro Matsuo
Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
Andrea Gori
Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco University Hospital, Regional Center for Infectious Diseases (CEREMI), Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy
Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, 20157, Italy
Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science (MACH), University of Milan, Milan, 20157, Italy
Audrey N. Schuetz
Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
Elie F. Berbari
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
Latest update: 29 Jun 2026
Short summary
Native vertebral osteomyelitis, a spinal bone infection, is difficult to diagnose, and delays can worsen outcomes. This review examines how traditional laboratory tests and newer genetic techniques can be integrated to improve identification of the responsible microorganism. We show that combining these approaches within the diagnostic pathway may increase accuracy and support earlier diagnosis, enabling more timely and informed treatment decisions.
Native vertebral osteomyelitis, a spinal bone infection, is difficult to diagnose, and delays...