An unusual case of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae prosthetic joint infection from the Canadian Arctic: whole genome sequencing unable to identify a zoonotic source ...

• Main Authors: Groeschel, Michael, Forde, Taya, Turvey, Shannon, Joffe, A. M, Hui, Catherine, Naidu, Prenilla, Mavrot, Fabien, Kutz, Susan, Singh, Ameeta E
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Calgary 2019
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/prism/44026; https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/110122

Abstract Background Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a zoonotic pathogen that causes erysipeloid and is most frequently associated with exposure to domestic swine. Infection of native and prosthetic joints is a rarely reported manifestation. Case presentation We describe a case of E. rhusiopathiae prosthetic joint infection in a woman with a history of exposure to wild animals in the Canadian Arctic. Patient management involved a 1-stage surgical revision exchange with an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer and 6 weeks of intravenous penicillin G followed by 6 weeks of oral amoxicillin. Ten previously reported cases of E. rhusiopathiae joint infection are reviewed. Recent increases in mortality due to infection with this organism among host animal populations in the Canadian Arctic have generated concern regarding a potential increase in human infections. However, whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the organism was unable to identify a zoonotic origin for this case. Conclusions Consideration should be given to ...