Late Streptococcus bovis infection of knee arthroplasty and its association with carcinoma of the colon: a case report

Streptococcus bovis is a very rare cause of infection of joint arthroplasty. Infections with S. bovis have been reported to be associated with various gastrointestinal conditions. We present a case of total knee arthroplasty infected with S. bovis 40 months after a successful knee replacement. The diagnosis was established on joint fluid as well as blood cultures. Early diagnosis, arthroscopic wash out and appropriate antibiotics helped salvage the prosthesis. Early colonoscopy revealed carcinoma of the sigmoid colon that was surgically resected.