Infection is a rare but devastating complication of joint replacement surgery. Recently Propionbacterium acnes has been recognized as an emerging pathogen in shoulder surgery. There is much still unknown about the epidemiology of this pathogen, as well as the best method of diagnosis and treatment.
The Propionbacterium acnes in shoulder surgery (PASS) study is being launched at the Erie County Medical Center in collaboration with physicians and scientists from the University at Buffalo Departments of Orthopaedics and Infectious Diseases to investigate new methods of diagnosis and treatment for this newly recognized pathogen in shoulder surgery. The study, which was initiated in 2012, will continue for twelve months with the goal of improving care for patients who develop infection following shoulder surgery.
The $10,000 grant is from Research for Health in Erie County. The mission of RHEC is “to provide more extensive conduct of studies and research into the causes, nature and treatment of diseases, disorders and defects of particular importance to public health”
Thomas R. Duquin, M.D. is the primary investigator, and Don Hohman, M.D., John Crane, M.D. and Cathy Buyea, M.S. are co-investigators.
