Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection of a total knee arthroplasty an occupational hazard.

Traer, Emily A; Williams, Mark R; Keenan, Jon N · J Arthroplasty · 2008

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

A 76-year-old man with a medical history of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus intersititial nephritis, and steroid therapy was found at first-stage revision total knee arthroplasty to have Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (a zoonotic pathogen normally associated with pigs and fish) infection of the arthroplasty. He had a history of potential occupational exposure to the organism. On literature review, we found only 3 other case reports of E rhusiopathiae linked to septic arthritis in humans. This unique case of an infected joint arthroplasty further illustrates the pathogenicity of E rhusiopathiae in humans.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy