Bacterial chondritis complications following ear piercing.
BACKGROUND
Body piercing has become widespread and is associated with increased complications. Post-piercing chondritis may lead to severe residual deformity. We aimed to report case patients presenting with post-piercing chondritis in our department and to describe clinical features and treatment.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of patients presenting with post-piercing chondritis in the infectious disease department of Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.


RESULTS
We included 21 patients. Fifteen bacteriological cultures were positive (7 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 5 Staphylococcus aureus, and three other). Dual intravenous antibiotic therapy was administered to 13 patients for a median duration of six days [2-8], replaced by an oral antibiotic therapy for a median duration of 15 days [7-40]. Eight patients received oral antibiotic monotherapy for 10 days [7-30]. Median duration of antibiotic therapy was 16 days. Earring removal was performed for 18 patients. No ear deformity or general complication was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Transcartilaginous ear piercing may lead to infectious complications or deformity. In case of chondritis, early administration of an antibiotic therapy active against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus is recommended. Specific guidelines are needed.
Infectious diseases department, Pierre-et-Marie-Curie University, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France; Infectious diseases department, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France. Electronic address: guillaumebellaud@gmail.com.
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G
Bellaud
Infectious diseases department, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
A
A
Canestri
Department of bacteriology, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
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S
Gallah
Infectious diseases department, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
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M
Merlant
Infectious diseases department, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
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S
Cousseau
Infectious diseases department, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
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MG
Lebrette
Infectious diseases department, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
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L
Slama
Infectious diseases department, Pierre-et-Marie-Curie University, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France; Infectious diseases department, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France. Electronic address: gilles.pialoux@aphp.fr.
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G
Pialoux
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004425:Ear Cartilage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
Chondrite; Chondritis; Piercing; Pseudomonas aeruginosa