Lompoc, CA
A female asked:
What is the recommended treatment for staphylococcus capitis infection revealed in a culture after surgery on a swollen arthritic knee?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Ralf Lukneranswered
Internal Medicine 12 years experience
It depends: Staph capitis is a coagulase negative Staph species. If this was found in 1 of 4 blood culture bottles, it may be a contaminant (artifact of blood culture sample through skin). If this organism was found in the culture of the knee (aspirate, synovial fluid), then its presence is more worrisome and an infectious disease specialist should be consulted on how to further evaluate and maybe treat.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
740 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Edward Hellmananswered
Orthopedic Surgery 31 years experience
Wash out, antibiotic: Appropriate antibiotic coverage and washout of knee until infection clearly irradicated. There is a blood test known as crp that shows how the infection treatment is going and should be normalized for several weeks before antibiotics discontinued.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
740 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 5, 2019
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