Mycoplasma hominis deep wound infection after neuromuscular scoliosis surgery: the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Mycoplasma hominis is a commensal of the genitourinary tract. It mostly causes infections to associated structures of this system; however, occasionally it is a pathogen in nongenitourinary tract infections. Since, M. hominis strains require special growth conditions and cannot be Gram stained, they may be missed or delay diagnosis. This report describes a deep wound infection caused by M. hominis after neuromuscular scoliosis surgery; M. hominis was recovered by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An awareness of the role of M. hominis as an extragenital pathogen in musculoskeletal infections, especially in neuromuscular scoliosis, being a high-risk group for postoperative wound infection, it is necessary to identify this pathogen. Real-time PCR for postoperative deep wound infection, in patients with a history of genitourinary infections, decreases the delay in diagnosis and treatment. In these cases rapid real-time PCR on deep cultures should be considered.
Krijnen
Matthijs R
MR
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, P.O. Box 7057, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Hekker
Thecla
T
Algra
Johan
J
Wuisman
Paul I J M
PI
Van Royen
Barend J
BJ
D002648:Child; D003199:Computer Systems; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D019535:Mycoplasma hominis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011859:Radiography; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial