Prosthetic hip infection due to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) affects 1-2% of patients undergoing prosthetic joint surgery.
• Staphylococcus species are the most common pathogens, while Salmonella species are a rare cause (<0.3%).

Observation:

• A 62-year-old male with a history of trauma, osteonecrosis, infection, and chronic alcohol abuse presented with late hematogenous prosthetic hip infection.
• The causative agent was identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis.

Findings:

• Salmonella species PJI should be considered in patients with risk factors including malignancy, hemoglobinopathies, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, alcohol dependency, or immunosuppression.
• Even without prominent gastrointestinal symptoms, Salmonella PJI is possible in at-risk individuals.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering rare pathogens like Salmonella in the differential diagnosis of PJI.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including surgical debridement and antimicrobials, are crucial for managing Salmonella PJI.