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. 2023 Apr 27;8(2):e23.00030.
doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.23.00030. eCollection 2023 Apr-Jun.

A Systematic Review of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Infection Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

John J Heifner  1 , Mitchell L Hunter  2 , Arturo Corces  2 , Jan Pieter Hommen  2
Affiliations

A Systematic Review of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Infection Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

John J Heifner et al. JB JS Open Access. .

Abstract

Although infection following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is rare, these cases have potentially catastrophic ramifications. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous, located in the water supply and soil. Our objective was to review the literature to characterize NTM infection following ACL reconstruction.

Methods: A database search was performed for arthroscopic ACL reconstructions that resulted in a postoperative diagnosis of NTM infection.

Results: The literature search returned 6 case reports that met the inclusion criteria. The initial postoperative presentation occurred after 3 to 52 weeks, which is consistent with reports of postoperative NTM infection.

Conclusions: The common indolent course of NTM infection hinders prompt diagnosis and treatment. Organism susceptibility testing is crucial for effective treatment and limiting unnecessary antibiotic exposure.

Clinical relevance: The duration of medical treatment for NTM infection is 4 to 6 months, depending on the severity of disease and species. Based on the aggregate literature, we recommend removal of local implants if the infection is localized and without articular involvement. However, in cases of articular involvement, all fixation and graft material should be removed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSOA/A511).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart depicting the literature search process and its results.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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