An unusual cause of prosthetic joint infection: Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a rare cause of prosthetic joint infection. Early diagnosis is critical for a good treatment response. Here, we report a case of prosthetic joint infection due to M.tuberculosis. A32-year old woman was admitted to our clinic for fever and drainage of right hip with prosthesis. After several interventions, she was diagnosed as prosthetic infection due to M.tuberculosis. Although the diagnosis was delayed because of the difficulties to yield M.tuberculosis, the outcome was good with medical therapy for 12-month and staged exchange of prosthesis. Approach to diagnosis must involve the histopathological examination of the tissue, mycobacterial cultures and acidfast staining and when repeated cultures and examination of histological samples from infected joints are negative, tuberculosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection. While the treatment modalities vary in English literature, it is clear that treatment must involve both medical and surgical approaches. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 2(2): 72-75