Background: C reactive protein (CRP) is used as a marker of (Rev Méd Chile 2005; 133: 1341-48).

INTRODUCCIONLos reemplazos articulares de caderas enfermas alivian el sufrimiento y restauran la función de miles de personas año tras año.En E.U.A. se realizan 250.000 artroplastías de cadera anualmente. Sin embargo, como todo acto quirúrgico, no están exentas de complicaciones siendo la infección periprotésica sin duda la más temida, tanto por los costos emocionales inherentes al largo proceso de tratamiento a seguir, como por la implicancia económica que ésta tiene. El costo anual que representa el tratamiento de una artroplastía infectada en E.U.A. fue estimado en 1984 entre 40 y 80 millones de dólares. Actualmente se considera que un pa- Rev Chil Infect (2000); 17 (2): 92-100 INFECTOLOGIA AL DIA DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HIP PROSTHESIS INFECTIONThe periprosthetic infection that occurs in about 1% of total hip arthroplasties, implies high emotional and economical cost for the patient and for health care systems, respectively. In this article the pathophysiology of this complication and the disposable diagnostic resources are reviewed. Two alternative treatments have been proposed: debridement with prosthesis retention or resection of the arthroplasty (in one or two times). Topical antibiotic benefits used for the prevention of prosthesis infection at total hip arthroplasty are refered.

Septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis is an unusual disease. Its clinical presentation includes pubic pain, fever and alteration of serum inflammatory markers in most cases. We report a 23 year-old male presenting with pubic pain and fever. Magnetic resonance showed an arthritis of the pubic symphysis and a 18 x 8 mm liquid collection. The patient was treated with antibiotics with a good clinical response. Two weeks after discharge, he was completely asymptomatic.