UPDATE ON INFECTIONS IN ARTICULAR PROSTHESIS

The implantation of joint prostheses, especially for the hip and knee, is becoming increasingly common. This provides a significant reduction in discomfort and an immeasurable improvement in patient mobility. Reviews of the worldwide literature indicate that 1 to 5% of these prostheses become infected, although it is important to remember that as the number of operations performed to implant these prosthesis increases, so will the number of cases of this type of infection. Gram-positive bacteria predominate in contaminations of joint prostheses, in particular Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Infections caused by gram-negative bacilli and fungi such as Candida sp have been reported with increased frequency throughout the world. Infections of joint prostheses present characteristic signs that can be divided into acute manifestations (severe pain, high fever, toxemia, heat, redness and wound secretions) and chronic manifestations (progressive pain, cutaneous fistula formation and pus drainage, without fever). The definitive diagnosis of the infection should be made through cultures to isolate the microorganism, using material collected from joint fluid puncture, surgical wound secretions, and surgical debridement. It is essential to cover for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, given the epidemiological importance of this agent in these infections. The total duration of antibiotic therapy ranges from six weeks to six months, and this treatment should be adjusted as needed, based on the results from culturing.