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An uncommon case of Mycoplasma hominis infection after total disc replacement

Charles-Henri Flouzat-Lachaniette1, Julie Guidon, Jérôme Allain

  • 1Hôpital Henri Mondor, AP-HP - UPEC, Institut du Rachis - Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, 51, Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010, Creteil Cedex, France. charles-henri.flouzat-lachaniette@hmn.aphp.fr

European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
|September 25, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Septic complications after total disc arthroplasty (TDA) are rare. This case highlights Mycoplasma hominis as a cause of deep infection, emphasizing the need for specialized diagnostics in suspected cases.

Area of Science:

  • Spine surgery
  • Infectious diseases
  • Medical device infections

Background:

  • Adverse events after total disc arthroplasty (TDA) are often linked to surgical approach.
  • Septic complications are infrequent, with limited published cases.
  • This study focuses on a rare septic complication following TDA at the L4-L5 level.

Observation:

  • A 38-year-old woman developed acute low back and abdominal pain with fever one month post-MobiDisc(®) TDA.
  • Elevated C-reactive protein and a normal white blood cell count were noted.
  • CT revealed a left psoas-based retroperitoneal abscess.

Findings:

  • Treatment involved debridement, drainage, and tailored antibiotic therapy.
  • Intraoperative cultures identified Mycoplasma hominis after a 7-day incubation period.
  • The patient successfully recovered with infection resolution and no prosthesis complications at 1.5-year follow-up.

Implications:

  • Mycoplasma hominis can act as an extragenital pathogen in musculoskeletal infections.
  • Difficulties in culturing Mycoplasma hominis necessitate specialized media and PCR for timely diagnosis.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for deep wound infections after anterior lumbar spine surgery, especially with prior genitourinary infections.

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