Unusual aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with prosthetic joint infections

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Microbiology

Background:

• Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is often associated with common bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and beta-hemolytic streptococci.
• A comprehensive review of PJI caused by less common microorganisms is currently unavailable.
• Unusual bacterial pathogens pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in PJI management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive literature review of PJI caused by uncommon aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
• To serve as a valuable and quick reference for clinicians managing PJI due to these challenging pathogens.
• To consolidate information on the presentation and management strategies for rare PJI etiologies.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a Medline search for case reports and case series of PJI.
• Focused on PJI caused by unusual aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including coagulase-negative staphylococci and nutritional-variant streptococci.
• Reviewed the presentation, surgical, and medical management strategies for identified cases.

Main Results:

• Identified PJI cases attributed to a range of less commonly encountered aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
• Highlighted the complexity and evolving nature of treatment strategies for these infections.
• Emphasized the need for detailed microbiological identification and susceptibility testing.

Conclusions:

• Management of PJI due to unusual bacteria is complex and requires an evolving approach.
• Effective treatment necessitates close collaboration between orthopedic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and microbiology laboratories.
• Advances in diagnostics, surgical techniques, and antimicrobials are crucial for improving patient outcomes in rare PJI cases.