Joint Fluid: Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium) acnes – Shipped November 06, 2017
HISTORY
A simulated joint fluid collected from a 72 year old female patient with shoulder prosthesis was sent to category A laboratories.
Participants were expected to identify and report Propionibacterium acnes.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M173-4
- P. acnes is a significant pathogen in orthopedic surgery especially after shoulder surgery and especially following shoulder arthroplasty with prosthetic material.
- Optimal recovery of P. acnes in suspected bone and joint infections requires prolonged cultivation preferably using blood culture media for at least 7 days.
CMPT is a program of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Canada.