Clinical Profile of Monomicrobial Corynebacterium Hip and Knee Periprosthetic Joint Infections

Background Corynebacterium periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a poorly described infectious syndrome. Prior studies included cases of polymicrobial infections. This series describes the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of monomicrobial Corynebacterium PJI. Methods We queried the Mayo Clinic Total Joint Registry for cases of monomicrobial Corynebacterium knee and hip PJI in adults ≥18 years old between 2010-2019. Results A total of 20 (1%) out of 2,067 PJI cases met our inclusion criteria. Most were males (55%), and the median age was 64 years. Seventy percent had chronic symptoms (>4 weeks). PJI was delayed-to-late (>3 months post-implantation) in 90%. Three species were identified: C. striatum (70%), C. jeikeium (20%), and C. amycolatum (10%). All tested isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (100%) and linezolid (100%), and most had MIC ≤0.06 mcg/mL to daptomycin (75%). Other agents were less reliable with high resistance to oral agents commonly used for suppression. Nineteen patients were treated: 37% debridement and implant retention (DAIR), 47% 2-stage exchange, and 16% resection without reimplantation. Of these, failure occurred in 29%, 11%, and 0%, respectively. Conclusion Corynebacterium PJIs pose a therapeutic challenge due to limited antimicrobial armamentarium and undefined optimal surgical intervention. Vancomycin and linezolid remain the most reliable agents for treatment. DAIR may be attempted for acute PJI, but verification of durable chronic suppression options will be critical for this approach.