Disseminated Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae with Secondary Prosthetic Hip Joint Infection: A Case of Successful Identification and Management in a Regional Hospital

JBJS Case Connect. 2023 Oct 19;13(4). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.23.00301. eCollection 2023 Oct 1.

Abstract

Case: This article reports a case of a 72-year-old man with bilateral total hip joint replacements who suffered cuts to his hands while butchering a wild boar. He presented to the emergency department with fevers and unilateral hip pain. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. rhusiopathiae) was isolated on hip aspirate and blood cultures. E. rhusiopathiae is a well-recognized zoonotic infection in humans, particularly in at-risk hosts, most commonly infecting swine. Infection is spread by ingestion or through skin abrasion.

Conclusion: This illustrates an example of successful operative and perioperative management of prosthetic joint infection secondary to E. rhusiopathiae, particularly microbiological identification, within a multispecialty team of physicians and surgeons.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Infectious* / microbiology
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement*
  • Erysipelothrix Infections* / microbiology
  • Erysipelothrix*
  • Hip Joint / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Swine