Objective. Bacterial infection is a serious complication after joint replacement surgery. In particular, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and epidermidis(MRSE) are very difficult to eradicate in infected prosthetic joint. Therefore, the retention rate of initial prosthesis affected with such resistant microorganisms is still low. Gentian violet shows potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive cocci as minimal bactericidal concentration is less than 0.1 %. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of treatment with gentian violet against MRSA and MRSE infections after THA, TKA, and bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty (BHP). Methods. There were 8 patients in this study; five patients with deep periprosthetic MRSA infection (2 THA, 2 BHP, 1 revision TKA); 3 patients with MRSE infection (1 revision THA, 1 BHP, 1 TKA). When infection was suspected after the surgery, we quickly obtained synovial fluid and periprosthetic soft tissue from the joint and applied to culture and microscopic examinations for detection of microorganisms. After identification of bacterial species, we immediately debrided the affected joint and washed thoroughly twice with 0.1% solution of gentian violet for 3 minutes each, followed by intra-articular multiple injection of arbekacin sulfate solution. Then we inserted an aspiration tube into the joint and administered appropriate antibiotics intravenously. If the inflammatory symptoms persisted in spite of the first treatment, we repeated the treatment until inflammation signs and intra-articular microorganisms could not be detected. Results. At first we examined the bactericidal activity of gentian violet solution against MRSA and MRSE by culture examination with or without the solution. We confirmed gram-negative bacillicould be alive but the both MRSA and MRSE could not be alive by the treatment with 0.01 % solution of gentian violet for 3 minutes. The treatment with gentian violet allowed subsidence of the infection in all patients. Furthermore, we could preserve 4 prostheses with MRSA infection; 1 THA, 1 revision TKA and 2 BHPs; 2 prostheses with MRSE infection; 1 TKA, 1BHP. However, we could not preserve 2 prostheses, 1 THA with MRSA infection and 1 revision THA with MRSE infection. Thus, the prosthetic retention rate of this study for MRSA and MRSE infections was 75 %. We performed two-stage operation for the 2 patients in whom we could not preserve the prostheses as follows: after excision of the infected total hips followed by successful reimplantation. Moreover, all of the patients in this study are able to keep the walking ability after joint replacements. Conclusion. Infection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species after joint replacement surgery has tended to increase. Gentian violet exerts a potent antibacterial activity against such microorganisms at the concentration of less than 0.1 %. We obtained good retention rate by the treatment using gentian violet against MRSA and MRSE infections after the joint surgeries. In addition, both MRSA and MRSE have not showed drug resistance for gentian violet. Therefore, we suggest that gentian violet will become a promising adjunct agent for infection after joint replacement surgery not only methicillin-sensitive but also methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus species

Purpose: Methylrosaniline, more commonly known as Gentian violet, is an inexpensive dye that has been used in medicine for 100 years. It has been shown, in the international literature, to have antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epider-midis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methylrosaniline has the potential to exert an antibiotic effect while theoretically having a reduced selection pressure for resistant bacteria. Methods: Standardized specimens consisting of Simplex P cement combined with Gentian violet, powdered tobramycin, powdered erythromycin/colistin, and no antibiotic were fashioned. These four groups were then tested against the species S. aureus, S epidermidis, and P aeruginosa using a Kirby- Bauer Agar disk diffusion test. Results: Gentian violet showed antimicrobial activity against S aureus, S epidermidis, but not P aeruginosa. Tobramycin demonstrated activity against against all three and the preparation of erythromycin/colistin was only effective against S aureus. Conclusions: Gentian violet demonstrates antimicrobial activity against the two most common infections in primary total joint arthroplasty

Objectives. Surgical marking during tendon surgery is often used for technical and teaching purposes. This study investigates the effect of a gentian violet ink marker pen, a common surgical marker, on the viability of the tissue and cells of tendon. Methods. In vitro cell and tissue methods were used to test the viability of human hamstring explants and the migrating tenocytes in the presence of the gentian violet ink. Results. The outcome of this study was that a constituent of the surgical marker pen causes cell and tissue death in culture, implying the same would occur in vivo. Conclusions. This is a cause for concern when marking tendon during surgical procedures, as it may compromise healing and repair and potentially contribute to a poor outcome. The authors suggest that an alternative surgical marking procedure should be found, or that all marker pens should undergo testing on human tendon tissue in vitro prior to use