Introduction:
Drug hypersensitivity is an important differential diagnosis in patients of infective spondylodiscitis, who develop systemic symptoms such as fever, rash, and arthralgia while on treatment with antibiotics. As these symptoms may also be present in sepsis progression, differentiation between two is very difficult. Procalcitonin (PCT) is one of the important and specific biomarkers of early sepsis.
Case report:
We present a case of a 33-year-old male with deep post-operative spinal infection complicated by drug hypersensitivity and worsening of systemic parameters. Serum PCT levels helped us to make correct diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgical debridement.
Conclusion:
PCT, as a biomarker, can help distinguish the septic progression of spondylodiscitis from drug hypersensitivity and prove vital in clinical decision-making in these difficult scenarios.