Late Periprosthetic Joint Infection due toStaphylococcus lugdunensisIdentified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Staphylococcus lugdunensis, member to the group of coagulase-negative staphylococci, is previously thought to be rarely isolated. Recently other staphylococci have been described, which were supposedly related toS. lugdunensis, such asStaphylococcus pseudolugdunensisandStaphylococcus pettenkoferi. To decrease the rate misidentifications, an accurate identification method, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry or molecular methods, should be used.S. lugdunensisis usually associated with severe infections similar to those caused byS. aureus. Moreover, it has been described that skin infections due toS. lugdunensisare severely underreported and could be also underreported in periprosthetic joint infections. Ours is the first case of a late periprosthetic infection of the hip due toS. lugdunensis, identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A periprosthetic infection due toS. lugdunensisshould be treated according to protocols ofS. aureusperiprosthetic infections, and therefore an accurate species identification is desirable.