Prosthetic hip infection related to a dental procedure despite antibiotic prophylaxis.

Abstract

A 39-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus who was taking corticosteroids had a prosthetic hip infection with Streptococcus oralis after a dental procedure despite prophylaxis with erythromycin. The causative organism was resistant to erythromycin. For patients with prosthetic joints the literature does not support dental prophylaxis, which even if given appropriately, may fail to prevent infection. Some experts advocate giving antibiotic prophylaxis to patients at high risk, although data supporting this practice are limited. However, considering that most orthopedic surgeons and many dental clinicians provide antibiotic prophylaxis, alternatives to erythromycin such as a first-generation cephalosporin should be considered.

• Authors: D J Skiest, A L Coykendall
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod) Vol. 79 Issue 5 Pg. 661-3 (May 1995) ISSN: 1079-2104 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7600233 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Erythromycin
• Cefazolin
• Prednisone

Topics

• Adult
• Cefazolin (therapeutic use)
• Dental Care for Chronically Ill (adverse effects)
• Drug Resistance, Microbial
• Erythromycin (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Femur Head Necrosis (surgery)
• Hip Prosthesis (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Immunocompromised Host
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (drug therapy)
• Male
• Prednisone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Premedication
• Prosthesis-Related Infections (etiology)
• Streptococcal Infections (etiology)