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 <i>Mycobacterium fortuitum</i> PJIs associated with contaminated water supplies have been reported in the literature. Our report details 5 patients with <i>Mycobacterium fortuitum</i> 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.