Anaerobic Bacteria in Bone and Joint Infections

Propionibacterium acnes infection after shoulder arthroplasty: A diagnostic challenge

“…7 Recently and most significantly, P acnes has also been recognized as an orthopedic pathogen. 1,[3][4][5]10,14,16,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24] This is a review of a series of P acnes infections after shoulder arthroplasty. Often presenting in the subacute to late time frame, its diagnosis has proven to be difficult because the usual clinical and laboratory indicators of infection are frequently absent, and the standard time frame during which cultures are held in laboratories is frequently exceeded.…”

Osteomyelitis of the Foot Due to Actinomyces meyeri: A Case Report

“…5 Israel in 1878 reported on von Langenbeck's case and his own after determining that the infections were due to Actinomyces and was thus credited with being the first to isolate Actinomyces from humans." Since that time there have been over 850 cases of osteomyelitis due to anaerobic organisms reported in the literature.…”

Anaerobic Osteomyelitis in Children

“…1,7,8,12 In a series of 26 pediatric patients, the duration of symptoms before diagnosis varied widely from 7 to 37 days. Systemic symptoms, however, including low grade fever and localized pain, were found in 69% and 85% of cases, respectively, at admission.…”

“…Anaerobic bacteria are a recognized cause of osteomyelitis in children, 1–7 and more than 800 cases have been reported. 3,4 Yet, the prevalence of anaerobic osteomyelitis is unknown, in part because of the technical difficulties in isolating and identifying many of these organisms.…”