Native Knee Septic Arthritis With Mycobacterium Avium Complex Treated With Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty With...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Septic arthritis of the native knee is uncommon.
• Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections typically affect immunocompromised individuals.
• Native knee MAC infections are exceptionally rare, with limited case reports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in a native knee.
• To describe the successful management of MAC-induced septic arthritis and osseous destruction in an immunocompetent patient.
• To highlight a single-stage surgical approach for treating severe knee joint destruction due to MAC.

Main Methods:

• A single immunocompetent patient with native knee septic arthritis due to MAC was treated.
• The treatment involved radical debridement and primary total knee arthroplasty.
• High-dose, pathogen-specific antibiotic therapy was administered intraoperatively and systemically post-operatively.

Main Results:

• The patient achieved successful treatment of both the MAC infection and the destructive arthropathy.
• A single surgical procedure (debridement and total knee arthroplasty) was effective.
• At 3.5 years post-surgery, the patient is free of antibiotics and has a functional total knee arthroplasty.

Conclusions:

• Native knee septic arthritis caused by MAC can occur in immunocompetent hosts.
• A combined surgical and antibiotic approach, including total knee arthroplasty, can effectively treat severe MAC knee infections.
• This case demonstrates a favorable long-term outcome for a rare and destructive joint infection.