[Hematogenous infection of prostheses in man and in an animal model]

A case is reported which suggests a hematogenous route of infection in orthopedic prostheses. Furthermore, in a foreign body animal model the hypothesis was tested that implanted prostheses may be endangered during episodes of bacteremia. These experiments confirm the clinical impression that foreign bodies can be selectively infected during experimental bacteremia with Staphylococcus aureus.