What Is the Treatment of Osteomyelitis in Adults When Bone Culture Is Positive for Cutibacterium acnes?

Overview

When an adult presents with osteomyelitis and bone culture identifies Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes) as the causative organism, antibiotic selection is guided specifically by that culture result. Organism-directed therapy is the cornerstone of management in this scenario.

Clinical Scenario

Adult patient with osteomyelitis confirmed by bone culture positive for Cutibacterium acnes. The identification of this specific pathogen determines the antibiotic regimen — the choice of therapy is specific to the culture result.

Treatment Approach

Management in this setting involves a targeted penicillin-class antibiotic regimen directed at the confirmed pathogen. The complete protocol — including drug selection, dosing, frequency, and duration — is available in the full structured regimen below.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

The choice of antibiotic therapy is specific to the culture results listed in Table 3.

Initial Antibiotic Therapy for Osteomyelitis in Adults.

Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes).

View source ↗