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[Infection after total hip replacement by Staphylococcus caprae. Case report and review of the literature]

V Blanc1, J Picaud, E Legros

  • 1Laboratoire, Centre Hospitalier d'Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, France.

Pathologie-Biologie
|July 27, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus caprae, an animal bacterium, can cause difficult-to-diagnose bone and joint infections, especially after hip replacement surgery. This opportunistic pathogen may be misidentified, highlighting the need for accurate identification in orthopedic infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are challenging to diagnose in orthopedic infections, particularly post-prosthetic implantation.
  • Accurate identification of CNS is crucial for effective treatment and patient outcomes.

Observation:

  • A case of late-onset total hip replacement infection was caused by Staphylococcus caprae.
  • Four strains isolated from the patient were identified as S. caprae, an animal CNS rarely implicated in human infections.
  • The isolates shared identical biochemical profiles, antibiotypes, and pulsotypes, confirming pathogenicity.

Findings:

  • A review of 24 human S. caprae cases reveals a strong association with bone and joint infections.
  • Implantation of prosthetic material is a significant risk factor for S. caprae infections.
  • S. caprae may be misidentified as other CNS due to similar characteristics.

Implications:

  • Accurate identification of S. caprae is essential for diagnosing orthopedic infections.
  • S. caprae, potentially part of normal flora, can act as an opportunistic pathogen in nosocomial and community-acquired infections.
  • This finding underscores the importance of considering less common pathogens in prosthetic joint infections.

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