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Updated: Oct 28, 2026
A Periprosthetic Joint Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse
Published on: February 2, 2024
Successful salvage of a primary total knee arthroplasty infected with Candida parapsilosis
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York 14642, USA.
Abstract:
Fungal infections of total joint arthroplasties are extremely rare with only 21 previous reported cases in the literature. In 19 of these cases, the offending organism has been a member of the candida species. In all of these cases, the patients had no clinical evidence of disseminated fungal infection. All previously reported cases of total joint fungal infections required removal of the primary prosthesis to eradicate the infection. There has also been a great reluctance to reimplant these patients. In fact, reimplantation has been successful in only one reported case. We report the first case of successful salvage of an arthroplasty infected with candida.
Insights
Fungal infections in total joint arthroplasty are rare, typically caused by Candida. This case demonstrates the first successful salvage of a Candida-infected arthroplasty without prosthesis removal.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fungal infections of total joint arthroplasty are exceptionally rare, with only 21 cases reported.
- Candida species are the most common causative agents, identified in 19 of the reported cases.
- Patients typically present without evidence of disseminated fungal infection.
Observation:
- All previously reported cases necessitated prosthesis removal for infection eradication.
- Reimplantation after fungal infection has historically had a very low success rate.
- This study presents a unique case of a successful arthroplasty salvage.
Findings:
- The study details the first reported instance of successfully salvaging a total joint arthroplasty infected with Candida.
- This outcome was achieved without the need for prosthesis removal.
- The patient's arthroplasty was preserved despite the fungal infection.
Implications:
- This case challenges the conventional approach of mandatory prosthesis removal for fungal arthroplasty infections.
- Successful salvage offers a potential alternative treatment strategy, preserving the native joint.
- Further research into non-resectional management of fungal arthroplasty infections is warranted.
