Orthopedic implant-associated infections caused by Cutibacterium spp. - A remaining diagnostic challenge

The definition criteria and clinical characteristics of implant-associated infection (IAI) caused by Cutibacterium (formerly Propionibacterium) spp. are poorly known. We analyzed microbiologically proven Cutibacterium orthopedic IAI in a prospective cohort.

Patients with periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) and fixation device-associated infections (FDAI) caused by Cutibacterium spp. were prospectively included. IAI was defined by significant growth of Cutibacterium spp. and presence of at least one non-microbiological criterion for infection. The McNemar's chi-squared or binomial test was used to compare the performance of diagnostic tests.

Of 121 patients with Cutibacterium IAI, 62 patients (51%) had PJI and 59 (49%) had FDAI. 109 infections (90%) were caused by C. acnes and 12 (10%) by C. avidum. The median time from implantation until diagnosis of infection was 15.7 months (interquartile range, 5-46.5 months). Clinical local signs were present in 30 patients (28%) and radiological implant loosening in 64 patients (63%). Culture sensitivity of sonication fluid was 84%, of peri-implant tissue 84% and of synovial or peri-implant fluid 56% after 14 days of incubation.

Cutibacterium IAI was diagnosed late in the disease course and presented with subtle signs. Prolonged culture incubation and implant sonication improved the poor performance of conventional microbiological tests. Due to lack of reliable diagnostic tests, Cutibacterium remains difficult to detect making the diagnosis challenging.