Good Results for PJI Caused by Corynebacterium spp. After Algorithmic Surgical Approach and Rifampicin Combination in Implant Retention.

Abstract

Background: Corynebacterium spp. is a rare culprit in periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), with limited data available on outcomes and appropriate treatment course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of a clinical cohort of patients with PJI, where Corynebacterium spp. was the causative organism (CPJI), treated according to an institutional algorithm based upon European Bone and Joint Infection Society guidelines.

Methods: From the institutional bone infection registry, 44 patients treated for CPJI between 2007 and 2023 were identified. CPJIs were divided into 2 groups according to the isolated microbes: monomicrobial (14 [32%]) and polymicrobial (30 [68%]). Patients were treated with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR; 14 [32%]) or with 1- or 2-stage implant exchange (reimplantation group; 30 [68%]). In 13 (30%) cases, antibiotic combination with rifampicin was used.

Results: Out of 44 patients, 4 required further treatment. In monomicrobial CPJI, the treatment course was successful in all patients, whereas in polymicrobial CPJI it was successful in 87%. Antibiotic combination including rifampicin was used in 4 monomicrobial cases (29%) and 9 polymicrobial (30%) cases. In the polymicrobial group, DAIR was successful in 90% (9/10), while the reimplantation group had an 85% (17/20) success rate.

Conclusions: In contrast with the previously published papers on CPJI, the results in our cohort were good, with the total cure rate being 91%. The cure rate was slightly lower in the polymicrobial group compared with the monomicrobial: 87% and 100%, respectively. Surgical therapy according to the established institutional algorithm resulted in a high success rate.