Propionibacterium acnes: an underestimated etiology in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis?
This is a very important article in that it suggests the presence of propionibacterium in previously unoperated shoulders with arthritis and furthermore that 'aseptic' failures of shoulder arthroplasty may, in fact, be related to indolent infections with this slow growing organism.
Read comments by Dr Frederick A. Matsen III, M.D.