Anaerobic Bacteria in Late Infections after Total Hip Arthroplasty

At reoperation of 7 patients with “late reactions” following total hip arthroplasty according to Charnley, specimens were taken from the tissue around the prosthesis and examined for presence of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Obligate anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 4 of the patients. Staph. epidermidis (albus) was isolated in 1 additional patient. Two of the patients from whom no bacteria were isolated were on ***antibiotic therapy at the time of reoperation. In 3 of the 4 patients from whom anaerobic bacteria were isolated a significant decrease in the titre of agglutinating antibodies against the patient's own strain was observed 6 months after reoperation and antibiotic treatment.