Propionibacterium Dermal Colonization: Implications for Total Hip Arthroplasty

This study is being done to investigate the colonization rate(growth rate) of a particular
type of low-virulence (does not typically cause infection) bacterium called
Propionibacterium. The most common bacterium of this family is P acnes, the same bacterium
that is responsible for the majority of acne. There is increasing evidence that infection
with P acnes and other Propionibacterium is a significant source of failure following certain
orthopaedic shoulder procedures. However, information affecting hip surgery is currently
unknown. Our personal experience leads us to believe that the numbers are actually quite
high, since we are seeing an increased rate of Propionibacterium infection of hip replacement
in the community. However, this type of study has never been done before, and therefore we
simply do not know an accurate estimate for the average hip replacement patient's risk for
Propionibacterium infection following hip replacement.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients who are 18 to 79 years of age

- CJR primary knee or hip arthroplasty patients who are receiving care at Porter
Adventist Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients who are >79 years of age

- Patients with active psoriatic disease or other focal inflammation over the hip

- Previous total hip arthroplasty (bilateral for the case of TKA patients, contralateral
for THA patients)

- Previous history of Propionibacterium joint infection

- Current antibiotic use or antibiotic use within the past month

- Documented allergy to Cefazolin

- Current immunodeficiency disease or disorder