Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae Infection of a Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Occupational Hazard

A 76-year-old man with a medical history of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus intersititial nephritis, and steroid therapy was found at first-stage revision total knee arthroplasty to have Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (a zoonotic pathogen normally associated with pigs and fish) infection of the arthroplasty. He had a history of potential occupational exposure to the organism. On literature review, we found only 3 other case reports of E rhusiopathiae linked to septic arthritis in humans. This unique case of an infected joint arthroplasty further illustrates the pathogenicity of E rhusiopathiae in humans.