Atypical Presentation of Periprosthetic Joint Infection After Total Knee Arthroplasty due to Parvimonas micra

Abstract

There is limited literature reporting the oral pathogen Parvimonas micra as the causative organism of periprosthetic joint infection. Previous reports demonstrate septic arthritis in native or prosthetic joints due to P. micra in elderly or immunocompromised patients associated with tooth abscess and periodontal disease. Our case report is unique because it describes a healthy individual with recurrent gingivitis developing periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty as the result of isolated P. micra. Her clinical symptom presented early and manifested as progressive stiffness only. Timely aspiration resulted in early diagnosis, but the patient still underwent 2-stage revision with a more constrained implant. To prevent the risk of infection by oral pathogens such as P. micra, dental history should be thoroughly investigated, and any lingering periodontal infection should be addressed before any arthroplasty operation.

Keywords

• Parvimonas micra
• Peptostreptococcus micros
• Periprosthetic joint infection
• Total knee arthroplasty
• Stiffness