Successful management of native Joint septic arthritis (SA) hinges on the timely initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy coupled with thorough joint debridement. Since 2018 we have implemented a protocol for empirical antibiotic in patients with suspected SA recommending amoxicillin/clavulanate (and cotrimoxazole in cases of beta-lactams allergy) based on local flora. Nevertheless we have recently found that institutional compliance to the protocol is only about 50% and many physicians are still choosing alternative wider spectrum regimens. The aim of this study is to assess whether current clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients treated for this condition justify an update or whether previous recommendations are still valid. All adult patients admitted to our institution with suspected SA between 2018-2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data was collected from electronic medical records and then compared to similar data previously collected concerning the 2009-2017 period (that served as a basis for the aforementioned protocol).Aim
Method
Determine therapeutic and prognostic value of three different prosthetic joint infections (PJI) staging systems – JS-Bach, McPherson and PJI-TNM. Retrospective analysis of patients who received surgery for PJI between 2011 and 2022 at one single institution, including DAIR, 1-stage revision and 2-stage revision. We applied three staging systems - JS-Bach, McPherson, PJI-TNM – and categorize the results into A (less severe), B (intermediate) and C (most severe). Demographic data and comorbidities, anatomic location, type of treatment, recurrency of infection, final outcome and antibiogram were analyzed.Aim
Method
The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of culture-negative periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) when adequate methods of culture are used, and to evaluate the outcome in patients who were treated with antibiotics for a culture-negative PJI compared with those in whom antibiotics were withheld. A multicentre observational study was undertaken: 1,553 acute and 1,556 chronic PJIs, diagnosed between 2013 and 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Culture-negative PJIs were diagnosed according to the Muskuloskeletal Infection Society (MSIS), International Consensus Meeting (ICM), and European Bone and Joint Society (EBJIS) definitions. The primary outcome was recurrent infection, and the secondary outcome was removal of the prosthetic components for any indication, both during a follow-up period of two years.Aims
Methods
To analyse the prevalence of culture negative periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) when adequate culture techniques are applied, and to evaluate the outcome of patients who were treated with antibiotics for a culture negative PJI versus those in whom treatment was withheld. A multicenter observational study in which acute and chronic PJIs diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 were analyzed. Culture negative PJIs were diagnosed according to the MSIS, ICM and EBJIS definitions.Aim
Method
Our goal is to assess diagnostic accuracy of synovial fluid testing in diagnosing prosthetic joint infection (PJI) as defined by the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS). In addition to differential leukocyte count, simples and inexpensive biomarkers such as synovial fluid C-reactive protein (CRP), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and alpha-2-macrogloblulin(A2M) were also investigated and its possible role in increasing accuracy assessed. Between January/2013 and December/2019 total hip or knee arthroplasty revision cases (regardless of preoperative diagnosis) were prospectively included provided enough synovial fluid for biomarker analysis was collected and at least four tissue samples, as well as the implant for sonication, were gathered for microbiological study. Definitive diagnosis was classified according to the new EBJIS PJI definition. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we determined cutoff values as well as diagnostic accuracy for each marker.Aim
Method
Synovial fluid investigation is the best alternative to diagnose prosthetic joint infection (PJI) before adequate microbiological/histology sampling during revision surgery. Although accurate preoperative diagnosis is certainly recommended, puncturing every patient before revision arthroplasty raises concerns about safety and feasibility issues especially in difficult to access joint (e.g., hip), that often require OR time and fluoroscopy/ultrasound guidance. Currently there is no clear guidelines regarding optimal indications to perform preoperative joint aspiration to diagnose PJI before revision surgery. The main goal of this study is to determine the accuracy of our institutional criteria using the new European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) PJI definition. We retrospectively evaluated every single- or first-stage for presumed aseptic or known infected revision total hip/knee arthroplasty procedures between 2013–2020. Preoperative clinical and laboratory features were systematically scrutinized. Cases with insufficient information for accurate final PJI diagnosis (i.e., no perioperative synovial fluid examination or no multiple cultures including sonication of removed implant) were excluded. Preoperative joint aspiration is recommended in our institution if any of the following criteria are met: 1) elevated CRP and/or ESR; 2) early failure (<2 years) or repeat failure; 3) high clinical suspicion/risk factors are present. Performance of such criteria were compared against final postoperative EBJIS definition PJI diagnosis.Aim
Method
C-reactive protein(CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) are non-specific markers with variable reported accuracy in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection(PJI). They are often used as a part of the initial diagnostics as they are widely available and inexpensive. Given its high false-negative rate, CRP is an insufficient screening tool for PJI especially in low virulence microorganisms. Nevertheless, many advocate ESR offers no added advantage and is useless in this setting. Our goal is to determine if the combined measurement of ESR and CRP offers increased sensitivity for the preliminary screening of PJI over isolated CRP measurement. We retrospectively evaluated every single- or first-stage for presumed aseptic or known infected revision total hip/knee arthroplasty procedures between 2013–2018. Cases without preoperative CRP and ESR measurement as well those without synovial fluid for differential leukocyte count and/or no multiple cultures including sonication of removed implant obtained during surgery were excluded. Diagnostic accuracy was compared against two different PJI definitions: 2013 International Consensus Meeting and ProImplant Foundation definitions.Aim
Method
Treatment of complicated wound healing after total joint arthroplasty is controversial. What exactly constitutes prolonged wound drainage is matter of debate and recommendations to manage it vary considerably. Nonoperative measures are often recommended. If drainage persists, surgery may be indicated. To further intricate decision-making, differentiating superficial from deep surgical site infection is also controversial and inherently complex. Specific cutoffs for synovial fluid leukocyte count and blood C-reactive protein (CRP) in the acute stage have been suggested as a way to superficial infection requiring superficial wound washout from deep infection requiring a formal debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) procedure. The goal of this study is to analyze clinical and laboratory findings of an institutional protocol of “aggressively” proceeding with formal DAIR in all patients with complicated wound healing Our indications for DAIR in suspected acute postoperative periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) are: 1)prolonged wound drainage and CRP upward trend after day-3; 2)persistent wound drainage by day-10 regardless of CRP; 3)wound healing disturbance (e.g. “superficial” infection, “superficial” skin necrosis) anytime in early postoperative weeks. We retrospectively evaluated patients undergoing DAIR in the first 60 postoperative days between 2014–2018. Patients without multiple deep tissue cultures obtained intraoperative were excluded. Deep infection was defined by at least two positive deep tissue cultures or one positive deep culture and positive leukocyte count (>10,000 cells/mL or >90% PMN).Aim
Method
Antibiotic loaded spacers are often used during a two-stage exchange for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) both for its mechanical properties and as a means for local antibiotic delivery. The main goal of this study is to compare the rate of positive cultures during reimplantation with the use of different antibiotic loaded spacers: aminoglycoside only vs. combined glycopeptide/aminoglycoside vs. combined glycopeptide/carbapenem/aminoglycoside. We retrospectively evaluated every two-stage exchange procedures for infected hip/knee arthroplasty between 2012–2018. Microbiological findings in the first and second stage were registered as well as the type of spacer and antibiotic(s) used. Cases in whom no cultures were obtained during reimplantation and cases without sufficient data on antibiotic(s) used in cement spacers were excluded.Aim
Method
Autologous-labeled leukocytes combined with sulfur colloid bone marrow scan is the current imaging modality of choice for diagnosing prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Although this technique is reliable, A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 53 patients with painful hip or knee prostheses that underwent 99mTc-sulesomab and 99mTc-nanocolloids sequentially, between January 2008 and December 2016. The combined images were interpreted as positive for infection when there was activity on the sulesomab scan without corresponding activity on the bone marrow scan. The final diagnosis was made with microbiological findings or by clinical follow up of at least 12 months.Aim
Materials and methods
