Relatively common infections:
(1) atypical mycobacteriosis
(2) Staphylococcus aureus
(4) Streptococcus pyogenes
Other pathogens include:
(1) blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis B
(2) Herpes simplex virus
Risk factors for infection:
(1) reuse of needles without cleaning
(2) inadequate cleaning of the needles
(3) exposure of needles to nonsterile water prior to use
(4) failure to clean the skin prior to insertion of the needles
(5) failure to keep skin clean after removal of needles
The location of needle placement can impact the clinical significance of an infection.
(1) The use of needles in the cervical spine can result in atlanto-axial abscesses
(2) The use of needles in a knee after total joint replacement can cause prosthetic joint infection.
