Mycobacterium farcinogenes infection after total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

Atypical mycobacterium infection after total hip arthroplasty is a very rare but a potential cause of implant failure. We present the first report of Mycobacterium farcinogenes infection in human beings. Although the treatment of atypical mycobacterium infection after total hip arthroplasty is controversial, we successfully treated the infection in this case, after consultation with a microbiologist regarding infection management, with both surgery and chemotherapy. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for atypical mycobacterium infection, particularly when standard culture findings are negative despite strong clinical evidence of prosthesis infection.