Campylobacter infection after prosthetic joint surgery

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopedics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication of joint replacement surgery.
• Campylobacter species are an uncommon cause of PJI, with few cases reported.
• Understanding the characteristics of Campylobacter PJI is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the demographic features, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of patients with Campylobacter PJI.
• To identify risk factors and common Campylobacter species involved in PJI.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing Campylobacter as a potential pathogen in PJI.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 8 patients diagnosed with Campylobacter PJI.
• Clinical data including patient demographics, comorbidities, PJI presentation, and treatment were collected.
• Bacterial strains were identified and confirmed by the French National Reference Center for Campylobacter and Helicobacter.

Main Results:

• Seven of eight patients were infected with Campylobacter fetus; one with Campylobacter jejuni.
• Most patients were elderly and immunocompromised.
• Four patients experienced bacteremia, with one case of pacemaker endocarditis. All patients received antibiotics for at least 3 months, and 6 underwent surgery.
• Outcomes were favorable at 2-year follow-up for 7 out of 8 patients.

Conclusions:

• Campylobacter PJI, though rare, is an emerging clinical concern.
• Campylobacter fetus bacteremia warrants investigation for secondary PJI.
• Early diagnosis and combined antibiotic and surgical treatment lead to favorable outcomes in most Campylobacter PJI cases.