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Kocuria rhizophila prosthetic hip joint infection
Timothy McAleese1,2, Aathir Ahmed1,2, Mark Berney2
1RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|September 4, 2023
Summary
This case report details the first prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by Kocuria rhizophila. Effective treatment involved debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) with Vancomycin.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Microbiology
Background:
- Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication following joint replacement surgery.
- Kocuria species are increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogens.
- This report focuses on a rare PJI caused by Kocuria rhizophila.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old male presented with signs of infection 6 weeks after total hip replacement.
- Symptoms included erythema, swelling, and tenderness at the surgical site.
- Radiological findings indicated a potential PJI.
Findings:
- Kocuria rhizophila was identified as the causative agent of the prosthetic joint infection.
- The patient was successfully treated with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) procedure.
- A 12-week course of intravenous Vancomycin led to normalization of inflammatory markers and clinical recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights Kocuria rhizophila as a potential cause of PJI.
- It demonstrates the efficacy of the DAIR procedure and prolonged Vancomycin therapy for such infections.
- Further research into Kocuria species' role in invasive infections is warranted.
