Chronic prosthetic joint infection caused by Coxiella burnetii diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: A case report and literature review.
Yuqiong Zhang, Danhua Wang, Ning Su et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A patient with a history of joint arthroplasty presented with persistent joint pain and swelling due to a prosthetic joint infection. Despite multiple surgeries and prolonged antibiotic therapy, routine cultures were negative, and the infection recurred. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing identified Coxiella burnetii in periprosthetic tissue, leading to targeted therapy with doxycycline and levofloxacin, resulting in symptom resolution and clinical improvement.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Coxiella burnetii can cause culture-negative prosthetic joint infections, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing is a valuable tool for its identification when conventional diagnostics fail.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of incorporating metagenomic next-generation sequencing into the diagnostic approach for suspected culture-negative prosthetic joint infections to facilitate timely and effective treatment.