Hip arthroplasty in quiescent mycobacterial infection of hip

Three patients underwent hip arthroplasty--one total hip replacement and two, Thompson's hemiarthroplasty. The diagnosis was degenerative joint disease and subcapital fracture of the femur, respectively. Histologic and bacteriologic examination revealed mycobacterial infection. None of the patients had a past history of mycobacterial infection. In one instance, there was a reactivation of the infection eight months following surgery, which was treated successfully by antituberculosis drugs.