Internal-Fixation Hardware Infection With Corynebacterium jeikeium

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) and infection after fracture fixation (IAFF) are serious complications in orthopedic surgery.
• Corynebacterium species are uncommon pathogens in PJIs and IAFF, often overlooked due to slow growth.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate management are critical for favorable patient outcomes.

Observation:

• A patient developed IAFF caused by Corynebacterium jeikeium three weeks post-fracture fixation.
• Initial surgical cultures were negative after 72 hours, with growth only observed on day 5.
• This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing slow-growing bacterial infections.

Findings:

• Corynebacterium jeikeium can cause IAFF, presenting a diagnostic challenge due to delayed culture positivity.
• The study reviews existing literature on C. jeikeium in PJIs and implant-associated infections.
• Antibiotic resistance patterns and microbiological characteristics of C. jeikeium are discussed.

Implications:

• Physicians should consider Corynebacterium infections in the differential diagnosis of IAFF, particularly with negative initial cultures.
• Awareness of C. jeikeium's slow-growing nature is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment.
• Understanding C. jeikeium's antibiotic resistance is vital for effective therapeutic strategies in implant-associated infections.