Our orthopaedic hospital attempts to culture tuberculosis (TB) bacteria from all bone and joint samples sent to the microbiology laboratory. We looked at 6162 TB cultures performed between 2017 and 2022. Bacteria that cause TB, or similar bacteria, were found in 1 in every 229 patients. Tests were more likely to be positive in people being investigated for cancer (sarcoma) and in samples from the spine, whereas they were much less likely to be positive in samples taken from replacement joints.

This work outlines the first case study of Candida glabrata bone and joint infection successfully treated with 3 weeks of caspofungin followed by 10 weeks of rezafungin, a new generation of antifungal treatment, using a weekly administration mode. 

Musculoskeletal coccidioidomycosis can present in a variety of ways and often mimics non-infectious disease processes, making timely diagnosis challenging. Missed diagnosis can lead to devastating consequences, including joint destruction. Treatment often involves surgical debridement and prolonged antifungal therapy. Physicians in endemic areas should have a low threshold for obtaining Coccidioides-specific labs when patients present with unexplained musculoskeletal complaints.

Skin commensal bacteria such as staphylococci are often the source of orthopaedic-device-related infections. Rifampicin is a widely used antibiotic in the treatment of these infections. The results of this study show that oral rifampicin therapy leads to a consistent and persistent induction of resistance in commensal staphylococci on the skin and in the nose for a prolonged time.