A case of Q fever prosthetic joint infection and description of an assay for detection of Coxiella burnetii

J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Jan;51(1):66-9. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02352-12. Epub 2012 Oct 17.

Abstract

We present the first published case of Coxiella burnetii prosthetic joint infection. Diagnosis was established with PCR and culture of periprosthetic tissue and synovial fluid (and serology). A novel PCR assay is described herein. Q fever should be considered in patients with prosthetic joint infection without an identified pathogen.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Coxiella burnetii / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Ligaments / microbiology
  • Osteoarthritis / diagnosis*
  • Osteoarthritis / microbiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnosis*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Q Fever / diagnosis*
  • Q Fever / microbiology
  • Synovial Fluid / microbiology