Aims. We compared the risks of re-revision and mortality between two-stage and single-stage revision surgeries among patients with infected primary hip arthroplasty. Methods. Patients with a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of their primary arthroplasty revised with single-stage or two-stage procedure in England and Wales between 2003 and 2014 were identified from the National Joint Registry. We used Poisson regression with restricted cubic splines to compute hazard ratios (HRs) at different postoperative periods. The total number of revisions and re-revisions undergone by patients was compared between the two strategies. Results. In total, 535 primary hip arthroplasties were revised with single-stage procedure (1,525 person-years) and 1,605 with two-stage procedure (5,885 person-years). All-cause re-revision was higher following single-stage revision, especially in the first three months (HR at 3 months = 1.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 3.43), p = 0.009). The risks were comparable thereafter. Re-revision for PJI was higher in the first three postoperative months for single-stage revision and waned with time (HR at 3 months = 1.81 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.68), p = 0.003; HR at 6 months = 1.25 (95% CI 0.71 to 2.21), p = 0.441; HR at 12 months = 0.94 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.63), p = 0.819). Patients initially managed with a single-stage revision received fewer revision operations (mean 1.3 (SD 0.7) vs 2.2 (SD 0.6), p < 0.001). Mortality rates were comparable between these two procedures (29/10,000 person-years vs 33/10,000). Conclusion. The risk of unplanned re-revision was lower following two-stage revision, but only in the early postoperative period. The lower overall number of revision procedures associated with a single-stage revision strategy and the equivalent mortality rates to two-stage revision are reassuring. With appropriate counselling, single-stage revision is a viable option for the treatment of hip PJI. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(5):321–330

Aims. The management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a major challenge in orthopaedic surgery. In this study, we aimed to characterize the local bone microstructure and metabolism in a clinical cohort of patients with chronic PJI. Methods. Periprosthetic femoral trabecular bone specimens were obtained from patients suffering from chronic PJI of the hip and knee (n = 20). Microbiological analysis was performed on preoperative joint aspirates and tissue specimens obtained during revision surgery. Microstructural and cellular bone parameters were analyzed in bone specimens by histomorphometry on undecalcified sections complemented by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase immunohistochemistry. Data were compared with control specimens obtained during primary arthroplasty (n = 20) and aseptic revision (n = 20). Results. PJI specimens exhibited a higher bone volume, thickened trabeculae, and increased osteoid parameters compared to both control groups, suggesting an accelerated bone turnover with sclerotic microstructure. On the cellular level, osteoblast and osteoclast parameters were markedly increased in the PJI cohort. Furthermore, a positive association between serum (CRP) but not synovial (white blood cell (WBC) count) inflammatory markers and osteoclast indices could be detected. Comparison between different pathogens revealed increased osteoclastic bone resorption parameters without a concomitant increase in osteoblasts in bone specimens from patients with Staphylococcus aureus infection, compared to those with detection of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium spp. Conclusion. This study provides insights into the local bone metabolism in chronic PJI, demonstrating osteosclerosis with high bone turnover. The fact that Staphylococcus aureus was associated with distinctly increased osteoclast indices strongly suggests early surgical treatment to prevent periprosthetic bone alterations. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(10):644–653

Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in detecting pathogens from synovial fluid of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients. Methods. A group of 75 patients who underwent revision knee or hip arthroplasties were enrolled prospectively. Ten patients with primary arthroplasties were included as negative controls. Synovial fluid was collected for mNGS analysis. Optimal thresholds were determined to distinguish pathogens from background microbes. Synovial fluid, tissue, and sonicate fluid were obtained for culture. Results. A total of 49 PJI and 21 noninfection patients were finally included. Of the 39 culture-positive PJI cases, mNGS results were positive in 37 patients (94.9%), and were consistent with culture results at the genus level in 32 patients (86.5%) and at the species level in 27 patients (73.0%). Metagenomic next-generation sequencing additionally identified 15 pathogens from five culture-positive and all ten culture-negative PJI cases, and even one pathogen from one noninfection patient, while yielding no positive findings in any primary arthroplasty. However, seven pathogens identified by culture were missed by mNGS. The sensitivity of mNGS for diagnosing PJI was 95.9%, which was significantly higher than that of comprehensive culture (79.6%; p = 0.014). The specificity is similar between mNGS and comprehensive culture (95.2% and 95.2%, respectively; p = 1.0). Conclusion. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing can effectively identify pathogens from synovial fluid of PJI patients, and demonstrates high accuracy in diagnosing PJI. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):440–449

Aims

Although low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) combined with disinfectants has been shown to effectively eliminate portions of biofilm in vitro, its efficacy in vivo remains uncertain. Our objective was to assess the antibiofilm potential and safety of LIPUS combined with 0.35% povidone-iodine (PI) in a rat debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) model of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).

Aims

To explore the clinical efficacy of using two different types of articulating spacers in two-stage revision for chronic knee periprosthetic joint infection (kPJI).

Aims

We compared the risks of re-revision and mortality between two-stage revision surgery and single-stage revision surgery among patients with infected primary knee arthroplasty.

Aims

Treatment outcomes for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) using systemic vancomycin and antibacterial cement spacers during two-stage revision arthroplasty remain unsatisfactory. This study explored the efficacy and safety of intra-articular vancomycin injections for PJI control after debridement and cement spacer implantation in a rat model.

Aims

Preoperative diagnosis is important for revision surgery after prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The purpose of our study was to determine whether reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), which is used to detect bacterial ribosomal RNA (rRNA) preoperatively, can reveal PJI in low volumes of aspirated fluid.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate calprotectin in synovial fluid for diagnosing chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI) .

Objectives

Nasal carriers of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA and MSSA) have an increased risk for healthcare-associated infections. There are currently limited national screening policies for the detection of S. aureus despite the World Health Organization’s recommendations. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of molecular and culture techniques in S. aureus screening, determine the cause of any discrepancy between the diagnostic techniques, and model the potential effect of different diagnostic techniques on S. aureus detection in orthopaedic patients.