Periprosthetic joint infection caused by kytococcus schroeteri: The first reported case and a review of the literature

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2023 May;106(1):115922. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.115922. Epub 2023 Feb 15.

Abstract

Oftentimes, Gram-positive cocci are the cause for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). Most of these infections include bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis or other coagulase-negative staphylococci. We here present the first case of a PJI caused by Kytococcus schroeteri. While being a Gram-positive coccus, it is very rarely the cause for infections in the human body. K. schroeteri is part of the micrococcus branch and often encountered as a symbiotic bacterium living on the skin. Regarding its pathogenic potential, not a lot is known since less than a few dozen human infections have been reported worldwide. Furthermore, many of the cases reported are either associated with implanted material, especially heart valves, or associated with patients whose immune response is deficient. Only 3 reports of osteoarticular infections are described so far.

Keywords: Arthroplasty; Endocarditis; Foreign Body Infections; Periprosthetic Joint Infection; Pneumonia; Revision Arthroplasty.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetales*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Positive Cocci*
  • Humans
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / diagnosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / drug therapy
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / microbiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Kytococcus schroeteri