PROSTHETIC KNEE CANDIDA-PARAPSILOSIS INFECTION

We report a 77-year-old man who developed Candida parapsilosis infecti on following total knee arthroplasty. Knee joint effusion was noted 2 weeks after surgery, and repeated cultures of aspirated fluid establis hed the diagnosis of Candida parapsilosis infection 4 weeks after surg ery. Treatment consisted of debridement and lavage of the involved joi nt together with continuous irrigation with fluconazole for 4 weeks, f ollowed by oral fluconazole for another 6 months. At 3 years follow-up , the patient was doing well and radiological examination of the affec ted knee showed a firm attachment of the prosthesis. We suggest that e arly identification of the causative organism followed by continuous i rrigation and use of appropriate antifungal medication may prevent joi nt instability and spares the removal of the prosthesis.