title: Prosthetic joint and implant contamination caused by Ralstonia pickettii: a report of three cases٭.
abstract: We describe three cases of orthopaedic contamination caused by Ralstonia pickettii grown from prosthetic joint and implant material cultures following sonication in the microbiology laboratory. Given the temporal association between the cases, lack of clinical or intra-operative features of infection, growth of the organism in the water bath, and unlikely etiology of Ralstonia as a prosthetic joint or implant pathogen, the bacteria were judged to be contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, 1403 - 29 St. NW, North Tower, Office 933, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada.
authors.forename: Brett D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors.forename: Ranjani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Somayaji
authors.affiliation: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors.forename: Bayan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Missaghi
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology, University of Calgary, 9-3535 Research Road NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 2K8, Canada.
authors.forename: Wilson W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bois