Micromonas (Peptostreptococcus) micros: unusual case of prosthetic joint infection associated with dental procedures

Micromonas (Peptostreptococcus) micros is frequently associated with periodontal disease as well as respiratory, gastrointestinal and female genitourinary tract infections, but only rarely has been reported as a pathogenic agent of prosthetic joint infections. Here we describe a case of a 63-year-old woman with prosthetic joint infection of total hip arthroplasty caused by the anaerobic species Micromonas micros, associated with tooth extraction. Samples obtained intraoperatively and from the oral cavity were positive for the presence of M. micros by culture and by real-time PCR. This case report indicates that infections of prosthetic joints can be associated with dental procedures and that sensitive molecular techniques are necessary for their routine diagnostic. (C) 2004 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.