Relationship of relapsing hip prosthesis infection by Staphylococcus aureus with gamma interferon deficiency.

Infections complicate 0.5 to 1% of surgeries for total hip prostheses. Staphylococcus species are the most common etiological agents. The role of host factors in the persistence of such infections despite appropriate therapy has yet to be determined. We report the defective immune response characterized by oversecretion of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 10 and by undersecretion of gamma interferon in such a patient. Further study may determine the prevalence of such deficits and the most appropriate therapy for these patients.