OERSKOVIA XANTHINEOLYTICA INFECTION OF A PROSTHETIC JOINT - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW

Oerskovia spp. are gram-positive, Nocardia-like bacilli which inhabit the soil and rarely cause human infections, Previously reported cases of Oerskovia infection have been characterized by a nonaggressive cour se and an association with foreign bodies. We report the first case of a patient with a prosthetic joint infection due to Oerskovia xanthine olytica. Our patient presented with a prolonged, indolent course and w as thought to have aseptic loosening of his prosthesis until the time of surgery. He was cured of his infection by removal of the prosthesis , antibiotic therapy, and delayed reimplantation. Review of the previo us 10 reported cases of Oerskovia infection in humans supports the rec ommendation that foreign-body-associated infections should be treated with a strategy that includes removal of the foreign material.