Prosthetic Joint Infection Complicated by Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia and Tricuspid Valve Infective Endocarditis: A Novel Case Report.

ABSTRACT

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is defined as an infection involving the prosthesis and surrounding soft tissue and bone that is a difficult complication to treat and is a common cause of revision total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Bacteremia, sepsis, and infective endocarditis (IE) are rare complications in patients who have undergone TJA. We report a rare case where a patient presented with purulent discharge from the left knee joint post-TJA concerning PJI and was found to have methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, tricuspid valve endocarditis, and septic pulmonary emboli. The patient underwent irrigation, debridement, and a spacer device placement in the affected knee joint for PJI and was medically treated for IE with six weeks of antibiotic therapy. The patient successfully recovered and was discharged to a rehabilitation facility. We conclude that PJI and IE secondary to TJA are very rare, but given the high morbidity and mortality, if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, physicians should always remain vigilant for these complications in the appropriate clinical context.