{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Case Studies and Literature Review of Francisella tularensis-Related Prosthetic Joint Infection.
{Author}: Ponderand L;Guimard T;Lazaro E;Dupuy H;Peuchant O;Roch N;Deroche P;Ferry T;Maurin M;Hennebique A;Boisset S;Pelloux I;Caspar Y;
{Journal}: Emerg Infect Dis
{Volume}: 29
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: 2023 06
{Factor}: 16.126
{DOI}: 10.3201/eid2906.221395
{Abstract}: Tularemia is a zoonotic infection caused by Francisella tularensis. Its most typical manifestations in humans are ulceroglandular and glandular; infections in prosthetic joints are rare. We report 3 cases of F. tularensis subspecies holarctica-related prosthetic joint infection that occurred in France during 2016-2019. We also reviewed relevant literature and found only 5 other cases of Francisella-related prosthetic joint infections worldwide, which we summarized. Among those 8 patients, clinical symptoms appeared 7 days to 19 years after the joint placement and were nonspecific to tularemia. Although positive cultures are typically obtained in only 10% of tularemia cases, strains grew in all 8 of the patients. F. tularensis was initially identified in 2 patients by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry; molecular methods were used for 6 patients. Surgical treatment in conjunction with long-term antimicrobial treatment resulted in favorable outcomes; no relapses were seen after 6 months of follow-up.