Eradication of Salmonella enteritidis periprosthetic hip infection using a custom-made articulating spacer: A case

Kwong Weng Loh, Khairul Anwar Ayob, Azlina Amir Abbas1

  • 1National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence for Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. azabbas@um.edu.my.

PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights a rare Salmonella enteritidis periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after hip replacement. Early diagnosis via hip aspiration and treatment with a custom articulating spacer (CUMARS) led to successful infection eradication.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a significant complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA), often requiring complex management.
  • Two-stage revision surgery for THA PJI can result in substantial patient morbidity.
  • Atypical organisms like Salmonella enteritidis present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in PJI cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of Salmonella enteritidis PJI following THA.
  • To emphasize the utility of preoperative hip aspiration for early pathogen identification.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of a custom-made articulating spacer (CUMARS) with antibiotic-loaded bone cement for treating rare PJIs.

Main Methods:

  • Diagnostic hip aspiration using blood culture bottles for microbiological analysis.
  • Revision THA employing a custom-made articulating spacer (CUMARS) construct.
  • Application of targeted antibiotic-loaded bone cement during revision surgery.

Main Results:

  • Early identification of Salmonella enteritidis through hip aspiration facilitated targeted antimicrobial therapy.
  • The CUMARS construct demonstrated stable implant fixation one year post-revision.
  • Successful eradication of the PJI was achieved, with good functional outcomes reported.

Conclusions:

  • Preoperative hip aspiration is crucial for diagnosing rare PJIs, guiding effective treatment.
  • The CUMARS technique offers a potentially effective and durable solution for managing complex PJIs caused by unusual pathogens.
  • This case highlights Salmonella enteritidis as a rare but treatable cause of PJI after THA.

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