Mycoplasma hominis Lumbar Wound Infection After Posterior Decompression and Instrumented Fusion: A Case Report. Issue 2 (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Stacy; Kumar, Shree Dinesh; Loo, Wee Lim
• Is Part Of: JBJS case connector. Volume 11:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: surgical site infection -- Mycoplasma hominis -- culture negative -- spinal fusion; Orthopedic surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics; Orthopedic Procedures; Orthopedic surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Case studies; Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.20.00439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-3251

Abstract

Abstract : Case: A 63-year-old man underwent L2-S1 decompression and fusion for spinal stenosis. He developed urinary retention postoperatively requiring catheterization. He developed fever, purulence, and foot-drop 8 days postoperatively and underwent debridement with implant retention. Cultures yielded Mycoplasma hominis after 10 days. He received 4 weeks of doxycycline. Four years postoperatively, he had no recurrence of infection and was able to ambulate despite a persistent foot-drop. Conclusion: Mycoplasma hominis is a urogenital commensal rarely implicated in musculoskeletal infections. A high index of suspicion is required in spinal surgery patients who develop fever and purulence and have initial negative cultures and poor response to empirical antibiotics.