# Subclinical Presentation of Cutibacterium acnes Infection Following Revision Rotator Cuff Surgery

## TL;DR

A patient developed a subclinical Cutibacterium acnes infection after rotator cuff surgery, prompting immediate treatment without waiting for lab results.

## Contribution

Highlights the subclinical presentation of C. acnes infection and the decision to proceed with surgery without confirmed culture results.

## Key findings

- C. acnes infection occurred 2.5 months after revision rotator cuff surgery.
- Subclinical infection was managed with immediate irrigation and debridement.
- Treatment was initiated before culture results were available.

## Abstract

We present a unique case of an individual who presented with a culture-proven Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) infection 2.5 months after a revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Instead of waiting for the result of aspiration cultures and consequently delaying surgery, we decided to take the patient to the operating room for arthroscopic irrigation and debridement on the date of presentation. Our purpose is to add to the existing evidence of C. acnes septic arthritis and, more specifically, to highlight the subclinical nature of this infection and our prompt decision to take the patient to the operating room for irrigation and debridement without culture-proven infection.