Joint Fluid: Cutibacterium acnes – Shipped February 07, 2022
HISTORY
The challenge was sent to Category A laboratories. The sample was a simulated joint fluid collected from a 59 year old inpatient with a painful shoulder following shoulder surgery. Participants were expected to isolate and report Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes)
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M214-4
- Cutibacterium acnes is an important pathogen that may arise during revision arthroplasty.
- The organism grows slowly and may be missed if specimens are not collected appropriately. Optimal recovery of C. acnes in suspected bone and joint infections required prolonged incubation preferably using blood culture media for 7-14 days.