Water Contamination at an Ambulatory Surgical Center Leads to Severe Mycobacterium Fortuitum Prosthetic Joint Infections: A Case Series

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) following total joint arthroplasties are relatively rare but devastating complications. To date, no cases of Mycobacterium fortuitum PJIs associated with contaminated water supplies have been reported in the literature. Our report details 5 patients with Mycobacterium fortuitum PJIs related to a contaminated water supply at an ambulatory surgical center. These patients were identified by referral to our academic center. All underwent at least 1 revision surgery prior to referral and required prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotics. All had extensive wound complications, and 4 of 5 patients have received at least stage 1 of a 2-stage revision. All will require further surgery, but long-term outcomes remain relatively uncertain.