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Case Reports
. 2025 Aug 20;17(8):e90595.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.90595. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Psoriasis and Canine Exposure Leading to Recurrent Prosthetic Joint Infection: A Case Report

Yacine Majid  1 , Maxime Maton  2 , Frederic De Vuyst  2 , Pierre-Yves Descamps  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Psoriasis and Canine Exposure Leading to Recurrent Prosthetic Joint Infection: A Case Report

Yacine Majid et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA), often requiring extensive medical and surgical intervention. This report presents a case of recurrent PJI associated with an untreated psoriatic lesion and habitual canine contact, highlighting an unusual yet significant vector for microbial transmission. A 51-year-old male patient underwent a primary total hip replacement in January 2024. Three weeks postoperatively, he developed a PJI caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. Despite a two-stage revision arthroplasty, recurrent infections were noted over the following months, with cultures later identifying Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus xylosus. During hospitalization, the patient disclosed a longstanding psoriatic lesion on his knee, which he frequently scratched and allowed his dog to lick. Dermatological consultation confirmed psoriasis, and the association between his skin condition and bacterial transmission from his pet was suspected to contribute to the persistent infection. The patient demonstrated clinical and biological improvement following prosthetic revision and targeted dermatological management. This case emphasizes the importance of dermatological evaluation in patients undergoing joint replacement, particularly those with chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis. Additionally, it underscores the need for thorough patient education on zoonotic bacterial risks. Recognizing the role of dermatological integrity and pet-associated bacterial transmission in PJI can enhance preoperative risk assessment and postoperative care strategies.

Keywords: canine; prosthetic joint infection; psoriasis; total hip arthroplasty; two-stage revision; zoonotic transmission.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Radiograph of the initial total hip arthroplasty showing the uncemented prosthesis in place after surgery.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Radiograph of the antibiotic-loaded spacer inserted during the two-stage revision procedure.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Radiograph of the revision arthroplasty showing the new hip prosthesis after the second stage of surgery.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Clinical image of the psoriatic lesion on the patient’s right knee.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Final radiographs after the second revision.
Lateral (a) and anteroposterior (b) radiographs of the right hip following the one-stage revision total hip arthroplasty.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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