Orthopaedic implant-associated infection caused by Staphylococcus xylosus: A case report

Implant-associated infections (IAIs) are an important complication after orthopaedic surgery and Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a common cause of such infections. We report a case of a chronic IAI caused by Staphylococcus xylosus, after internal fixation of a femoral neck fracture. The diagnosis was established by culture of the implant sonication fluid, and supportive histopathological findings. The patient was treated successfully with oral linezolid and rifampicin. This case adds to a growing literature implicating S. xylosus as a human pathogen, and highlights the importance of implant sonication to identify the causative organism and establish a diagnosis of an IAI.