A 70-year-old male presents with back pain, fever, and weight loss. He reports that he had a recent respiratory infection from which he thought he recovered. Tests revealed increased white blood cell count, and a diagnosis of endogenous osteomyelitis was made. The organisms causing this condition entered the bone through:

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Endogenous osteomyelitis occurs when microorganisms enter the bone through the bloodstream. It is a more common type of osteomyelitis in adults and usually affects the vertebrae, pelvis, or long bones. The patient's recent respiratory infection may have caused bacteremia, leading to the development of osteomyelitis. Open fractures, animal bites, and infected bedsores can also cause osteomyelitis, but they are classified as exogenous osteomyelitis.

A 70-Year-Old Male Presents with Back Pain, Fever, and Weight