Review of Periprosthetic Infection of Brucellosis with Presentation of a Case Report

Nowadays there is an increase in number of arthroplasties performed worldwide. There are evidences that this trend will continue to rise on a yearly basis. Presence of a foreign body implant increases the risk for infection regardless the most meticulous infection control. Brucellosis is the most frequently encountered worldwide zoonotic disease. It is most often acquired from unpasteurized milk and dairy products. Although it can affect any organ in the human body, osteoarticular involvement is the most common complication seen almost in half of brucellosis infections. In this study we will present a review of periprosthetic infections in general and later we will focus on brucellosis periprosthetic infection, with presentation of a case that we investigated treated and latter followed in our hospital. There were only 19 cases reported worldwide in the English literature and this is the 4th case reported in Israel. To our knowledge this is the only case were the bacteria could not been eradicated but only suppressed while the patient would have to be treated with antibiotics and followed for life. We reviewed all the previous cases and then summarized treatment and follow up with discussion about the most appropriate investigation and treatment protocol. Although Brucellosis is a rare disease, while treating it and following our patient we realized how important it is to discuss and review this infection in order to help our patients as soon as possible in order to allow them to return to their daily living with minimal disabilities.