Nocardia Prosthetic Knee Infection Treated with 2-Stage Exchange Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

CASE: A 63-year-old man presented with right knee pain and swelling 16 months after undergoing right total knee arthroplasty. Inflammatory markers were elevated, and after 6 weeks of incubation, cultures grew Nocardia nova. Treatment included 2-stage exchange of the prosthetic joint, multiple wound debridements, and an extended course of antibiotics. A Staphylococcus epidermidis infection complicated treatment, but all infections were considered resolved 14 months after the initial joint infection diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

This report underscores the need to consider Nocardia nova as a cause of prosthetic joint infections and the potential for prolonged treatment.