Delayed Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can present challenges in diagnosis and treatment, particularly in the setting of atypical causative organisms such as fungi and mycobacteria. Herein, we present a case and provide a review of the diagnosis and treatment of an unusual PJI caused by bacillus Calmette-Guérin, administered during the treatment of bladder cancer 3 years prior to total knee arthroplasty and subsequent PJI. Although the patient’s history of bladder cancer was known, neither his Bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment nor its potential for distant site spread that could lead to PJI were appreciated, leading to a prolonged diagnostic evaluation and treatment course.

Keywords

• Prosthetic joint infection
• Total knee arthroplasty
• Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
• BCGosis
• Bladder cancer