Mycoplasma hominis surgical wound infection: a case report and discussion

A patient with Mycoplasma hominis infection of a clean surgical wound that contained a prosthetic vascular graft had clinical findings similar to those observed in patients with acute bacterial infections. Etiologic diagnosis was delayed because M. hominis is not appreciated as a cause of surgical wound infections and because of its special growth characteristics. Confirmation of M. hominis infection requires awareness on the part of the clinician and assistance from an informed microbiologist. The organism can be recovered by means of media and techniques available in most microbiology laboratories. Although M. hominis has been reported to sporadically infect wounds, it is possible that many other wound infections with this organism are being missed. The clinical settings in which mycoplasmal infections might be expected are described.