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Antimicrobial susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes isolates from shoulder surgery

John K Crane1, Donald W Hohman, Scott R Nodzo

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA. jcrane@buffalo.edu

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|May 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes infections are rising after shoulder surgery. Penicillin G, cephalothin, and ceftriaxone show excellent activity against these bacteria, but clindamycin resistance is a concern.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • An increasing incidence of Propionibacterium acnes infections has been observed, particularly following shoulder surgeries.
  • Propionibacterium acnes is an opportunistic pathogen commonly associated with orthopedic device-related infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Propionibacterium acnes isolates from shoulder surgery patients.
  • To identify effective antibiotic agents for treating Propionibacterium acnes infections in orthopedic surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective collection of Propionibacterium acnes isolates from a hospital microbiology laboratory over one year.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on 28 shoulder isolates using standard microbiological techniques.

Main Results:

  • Penicillin G, cephalothin, and ceftriaxone demonstrated the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC50 and MIC90) against the tested Propionibacterium acnes strains.
  • Several other antibiotics also exhibited activity, but notable resistance to clindamycin was observed among the isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Penicillin G, cephalothin, and ceftriaxone are effective antibiotic choices for Propionibacterium acnes infections following shoulder surgery.
  • The emergence of clindamycin resistance necessitates careful antibiotic selection and monitoring in orthopedic surgery patients.

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