Outbreak of postoperative shoulder arthritis due to Propionibacterium acnes infection in nondebilitated patients

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2006 Sep;27(9):987-90. doi: 10.1086/507287. Epub 2006 Aug 24.

Abstract

We investigated an outbreak of postoperative shoulder arthritis due to Propionibacterium acnes infection in nondebilitated patients. Risk factors were male sex, the order in which surgery was performed during the daily operating schedule, and increased duration of the surgical procedure. After modification of the ventilation system and implementation of improved cleaning methods in the operating theater, no new cases were recorded.

MeSH terms

  • Air Microbiology
  • Arthritis / microbiology*
  • Arthroplasty
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Operating Rooms
  • Postoperative Complications / microbiology*
  • Propionibacterium acnes / isolation & purification
  • Propionibacterium acnes / pathogenicity
  • Risk Factors
  • Shoulder / surgery
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Time Factors
  • Ventilation