Cluster of Mycobacterium fortuitum prosthetic joint infections.
Mycobacterium fortuitum is a member of the rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria. Although mortality is rare from M. fortuitum, morbidity depends on the localized site of infection. M. fortuitum is ubiquitous in the environment and has been reported to cause infections of prosthetic devices. There have been seven previously reported cases of prosthetic joint infections due to M. fortuitum. This article presents three additional cases of postoperative joint infections due to M. fortuitum. All three cases were confirmed to be genetically indistinguishable by pulse-field gel electrophoresis. Awareness of its importance is especially noteworthy in the realm of ongoing antibiotic resistance.
Department of Infectious Diseases, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Sherwood and Brindley Foundation, The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX 76508, USA. lcornelius@swmail.sw.org
Lisa
L
Cornelius
Robert
R
Reddix
Christine
C
Burchett
Greg
G
Bond
Robert
R
Fader
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003646:Debridement; D020878:Device Removal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012086:Reoperation; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents