Acute Hematogenous Periprosthetic Hip Infection by <i>Gemella morbillorum</i>, Successfully Treated with Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention: A Case Report and Literature Review of Osteoarticular <i>Gemella morbillorum</i> Infections

Abstract

Gemella morbillorum is a facultative anaerobic, catalase-negative and non-spore forming Gram-positive cocci. It can be found as part of the normal oropharyngeal flora, in the gastrointestinal tract and the female genital tract. However, it can be a causal agent of infections such as endocarditis, meningitis or brain abscesses, and very rarely can cause osteoarticular infections. Herein, a case report of an acute hematogenous prosthetic hip infection caused by Gemella morbillorum, successfully treated with a DAIR and beta-lactam antibiotic therapy, is presented. We provide a literature review of the other orthopedic-related infections caused by this microorganism.

Keywords

• prosthetic joint infection
• <i>Gemella morbillorum</i>
• intestinal bacterial translocation
• implant retention