Persistent Multidrug-Resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Bacteraemia After Elective Orthopaedic Surgery in an Immunocompetent Adult

The authors highlight the case of a healthy male individual who underwent elective knee arthroscopy for meniscal tear injury and, surprisingly, developed a persistent postoperative bacteraemia caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria called Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia). Its occurrence in immunocompetent hosts, especially following routine surgical procedures, remains exceptionally rare and poorly documented. And due to limited antibiotic susceptibility, this created significant treatment challenges. Using targeted combination therapy, guided by susceptibility testing, led to full clinical recovery. This case emphasises the importance of prompt recognition and antimicrobial stewardship in managing emerging opportunistic pathogens in unexpected clinical contexts.