Secondary infection of a total hip replacement with Brucella abortus

A 54-year-old dairy farmer developed systemic manifestations of brucellosis five months following total hip replacement. Initial medical treatment with tetracycline relieved his systemic symptoms; however, hip symptoms persisted up to two years later. At surgery, a culture of the hip grew Brucella abortus. Subsequent treatment with parenteral antibiotics and a one-stage total hip revision utilizing streptomycin-impregnated cement was performed. The patient has remained symptom free at 36 months following the revision arthroplasty.