Aim. Antibiotic concentration at the infected site is a relevant information to gain knowledge about deep-seated infections. The combination of antibiotic therapy and debridement is often indicated to treat these infections. At University Hospital Basel the most frequently administered antibiotic before debridement is amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin is a fragile beta-lactam antibiotic that brings multiple challenges for its quantification. As for many sample materials only little material is available, the aim of this work was to establish a sensitive and reliable quantification method for amoxicillin that only requires a small sample mass. We did not quantify clavulanic acid as we focused on the drug with antibiotic action. Method. Usually discarded sample material during debridement was collected and directly frozen. The thawed tissues were prepared using simple protein precipitation and manual homogenization with micro pestles followed by a matrix cleanup with online solid-phase extraction. Separation was performed by HPLC followed by heated electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry. Results. During method development, amoxicillin showed partial formation of a covalent methanol adduct when performing protein precipitation. Furthermore, multiple in-source products of amoxicillin during ionization could be observed. Adding an aqueous buffer to the samples before protein precipitation and summing up the signals of amoxicillin and its in-source acetonitrile-sodium-adduct led to successful method validation for a calibration range of 1–51 mg/kg using 10 mg of each tissue sample. The imprecision was < 8% over the entire concentration range and the bias was ≤ 10 %. The quantitative matrix effect was < 6 % in six different tissue samples. Until now we measured amoxicillin in samples from nine patients with prosthetic joint infection, bursitis, or an abscess who obtained amoxicillin between 5 hours and 15 minutes before sampling and found concentrations between 1.4 and 35 mg/kg. Conclusions. With this method, we developed a fast, simple, and sensitive quantification assay for amoxicillin in tissue samples with little material that can now be applied to different study samples

Objectives. The risk of infection after type III° open fractures is high (10–50%). Preemptive antibiotic therapy may prevent posttraumatic infection and improve the outcome. Recommendations about the type and duration of antibiotic vary among the institutions and it remains unclear whether gram-negative bacilli or anaerobs need to be covered. In Europe, the most commonly recommended antibiotic is amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. We retrospectively analyzed microbiology, characteristics and outcome of patients with open type III° fractures treated at our institution. Methods. Between 01/2005 and 12/2009 we retrospectively included all type III grade open fractures of the leg at our institution classified after Gustilo (JBJS Am 1976) into type IIIA (adequate soft-tissue coverage of bone with extensive soft-tissue laceration or flaps), IIIB (extensive soft-tissue loss with periosteal stripping and bone exposure), and IIIC (requiring arterial injury repair). Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, microbiology, surgical and antibiotic treatment and patient outcome were recorded using a standardized case-report form. Results. 30 cases of patients with type III° open fractures were included (25 males, mean age was 40.5 years, range 17–67 years). 27 fractures (90%) were located on the lower leg and 3 (10%) on the upper leg. 24 cases (80%) were high-energy and almost half of the patients (n=16, 53%) had a polytrauma. Microbiology at initial surgery was available for 19 cases (63%), of which 10 grew at least one organism (including 8 amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-resistant gram-negative bacilli [GNB], 7 amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-resistant Bacillus cereus), 11 were culture-negative. Preemptive antibiotics were given in all cases (100%) for an average duration of 8.5 days (range 1–53 days), the most common antibiotic was amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in 60 % (n=18). 11 cases just received preemptive antibiotic treatment, in 19 of 30 cases the antibiotic therapy was changed and prolonged. Microbiology at revision surgery was available for 25 cases and 22 grew at least one pathogen (including 32 amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-resistant gram-negative bacilli and 10 amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-resistant Bacillus cereus), 3 were culture-negative. Conclusions. At initial surgery, most common isolated organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (43%), Bacillus cereus (23%), and gram-negative bacilli (27%), and others (7%) of which 48% were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. At revision surgery, isolated organisms were gram-negative bacilli (64%), Bacillus cereus (20%), and others (16%) of which 88% were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The spectrum of amoxicillin/clavulanic does not cover the most common isolated organisms

Antibiotic prophylaxis aims to reduce wound and prosthetic infection, with minimal adverse effects. The 3 dose Cefuroxime regime is widely used, despite the risk of infective diarrhoea. We describe the results of single dose intraoperative Gentamicin and Amoxicillin compared to this standard regime. We retrospectively reviewed 220 patients following hip hemiarthroplasty, creating 2 demographically matched cohorts; Group 1: 3 doses of Cefuroxime (n=113) and Group 2: single dose Gentamicin and Amoxicillin (n=107). End points were evidence of infection, length of stay and Clostridium difficile (CD) rates. results showed a significant reduction in group 2 for average length of stay (17 Vs. 13 days p=0.0432) and CD rates (7/113 Vs 0/107 p=0.0158). Considering antibiotic therapies administered; significant reductions in group 2 for the number of patients that required post-operative antibiotics (99/113 Vs 73/107 p=0.0005), the median antibiotic DDDs (Defined Daily Doses) in 1st 2 post-operative days (0.25 Vs 0 p=0.0000) and those that received Ciprofloxacin or Cefuroxime post-operatively (82/113 Vs 24/107 p=0.0000). No significant difference was found for median antibiotic DDDs, median antibiotic DDDs from 2nd post-operative day, patients that received Flucloxacillin post-operatively. Measured microbiological outcomes showed a significant reduction in the number of patients with confirmed growth requiring treatment with antibiotics in group 2 (21/23 Vs 12/22 p=0.0053). No difference was found between number patients with operation site swabbed and those with confirmed microbial growth. We demonstrate single dose Gentamicin and Amoxicillin significantly reduces length of stay, CD rates and the number of patients requiring post-operative antibiotics for wound infection, inferring a reduction in the rate of wound infection. We would recommend this as an effective alternative to the 3 dose Cefuroxime regime

Aims. Here we used a mature seven-day biofilm model of Staphylococcus aureus, exposed to antibiotics up to an additional seven days, to establish the effectiveness of either mechanical cleaning or antibiotics or non-contact induction heating, and which combinations could eradicate S. aureus in mature biofilms. Methods. Mature biofilms of S. aureus (ATCC 29213) were grown on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) coupons for seven days and were subjected to the following treatments or their combinations: antibiotics, mechanical cleaning, or heat shock by induction heating of 60°C for one minute. Experiments were repeated at least five times. Results. In the untreated biofilm, growth up to 1.8×10. 11. colony-forming units (CFU)/cm. 2. was observed. Treatment with ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, vancomycin, cefuroxime, and amoxicillin all with rifampicin gave 6.0 log, 6.1 log, 1.4 log, 4.8 log, and 3.6 log reduction in CFU/cm. 2. , respectively. Mechanical cleaning alone resulted in 4.9 log reduction and induction heating in 7.3 log reduction. There was an additional effect of ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, and induction heating when used in combinations. There was no additional effect for mechanical cleaning. No bacterial growth could be detected after induction heating followed by seven days of ciprofloxacin with rifampicin. Conclusion. Mechanical cleaning, antibiotics, and non-contact induction heating reduced the bacterial load of mature S. aureus biofilms with approximately 5 log or more as a single treatment. The effect of mechanical cleaning on mature S. aureus biofilms was limited when used in combination with antibiotics and/or induction heating. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(9):629–638

Aim. 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. Method. 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). Results. A summary of available data from both time periods can be found in table 1. Overall, among the 35 patients with positive microbiology treated between 2018-2022, amoxicillin/clavulanate is appropriate for 30 (86%) of isolates (vs 88% in historic control). Analysing the whole cohort, we found that previous contact with healthcare services (hospital admission or prolonged ER stay) (p=0.0044) and antibiotic treatment for any infection (p= 0.0213) in the previous six months correlate with resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate. In these patients, the proposed alternative cotrimoxazole is effective in 77% of cases. Conclusions. The institutional guideline for empirical antibiotic therapy in native joint SA remains adequate and there seems to be no justification to deviate from protocol except in cases of patients admitted to the hospital or antibiotic treatment in the previous six months. In these cases methicillin-resistance coverage is probably appropriate. Pseudomonal coverage is seldom required in SA. For any tables or figures, please contact the authors directly

Objectives. Investigate the incorporation of an antibiotic in bone cement using liposomes (a drug delivery system) with the potential to promote osseointegration at the bone cement interface whilst maintaining antibiotic elution, anti-microbiological efficacy and cement mechanical properties. Prosthetic joint infection and aseptic loosening are associated with significant morbidity. Antibiotic loaded bone cement is commonly used and successfully reduces infection rates; however, there is increasing resistance to the commonly used gentamicin. Previous studies have shown gentamicin incorporated into bone cement using liposomes can maintain the cement's mechanical properties and improve antibiotic elution. The phospholipid phosphatidyl-l-serine has been postulated to encourage surface osteoblast attachment and in a liposome could improve osseointegration, thereby reducing aseptic loosening. Preliminary clinical isolate testing showed excellent antimicrobial action with amoxicillin therefore the study aims were to test amoxicillin incorporated into bone cement using liposomes containing phosphatidyl-l-serine in terms of antibiotic elution, microbiological profile and mechanical properties. Methods. Amoxicillin was encapsulated within 100nm liposomes containing phosphatidyl-L-serine and added to PMMA bone cement (Palacos R (Heraeus Medical, Newbury, UK)). Mechanical testing was performed according to Acrylic Cement standards (ISO BS 5833:2002). Elution testing was carried out along with microbiological testing utilising clinical isolates. Results. Liposomal encapsulated amoxicillin PMMA bone cement exceeded minimum ISO BS 5833:2002 standards, had better elution at 12.9% when compared with plain amoxicillin (p=0.036 at 48 hours) or commercial gentamicin cement (Palacos R+G, Heraeus Medical, Newbury, UK – previous studies showed 6% elution over the same time period). Amoxicillin showed superior antimicrobial action when compared with gentamicin of the same concentration. However, liposomal encapsulated amoxicillin in solution and liposomal encapsulated amoxicillin in PMMA were both less effective than free amoxicillin in bacterial growth inhibition. The liposomal amoxicillin also seemed to decrease the cement setting time. Conclusions. Phosphatidyl-l-serine containing liposomes maintained the cement's mechanical properties and seemed to have better antibiotic elution, however, had less effective antibacterial action than plain amoxicillin. This difference in antibacterial action requires further investigation along with investigation of osteoblast attachment to phosphatidyl-l-serine containing liposomes within cement. Plain amoxicillin, for those not penicillin allergic, seems to be a credible alternative to gentamicin for incorporation in PMMA bone cement. It has shown superior antibacterial action, which may improve infection rates, whilst maintaining the cement's mechanical properties

Listeria monocytogenes is usually thought of as a bacterial pathogen that causes invasive disease including meningitis and bacteraemia in susceptible hosts. It remains a rare cause of bone and joint infection; there is therefore potential for clinical and laboratory delay in diagnosis and for uncertainty over optimal management. We describe our experience of two such cases of L. monocytogenes prosthetic joint infection to highlight key features in clinical presentation and management. Two case reports of L. monocytogenes prosthetic joint infection are described with reference to previous published cases. A 57 year old woman presented with a 10 day history of severe pain and swelling around a left knee prosthesis which had been implanted as bilateral total knee replacements three years previously. She had a background of rheumatoid arthritis, controlled with prednisolone, methotrexate and ritixumab. Cultures from the left knee isolated L. monocytogenes. The patient was commenced on IV amoxicillin and after 4 weeks underwent 1st stage revision including radical debridement and removal of prosthesis. During the procedure an antibiotic-impregnated spacer (gentamycin/clindamycin with additional vancomycin added in house) was inserted. Antibiotic therapy with intravenous amoxicillin was continued for 2 weeks post-procedure and on discharge the patient was converted to oral amoxicillin for a further 8 weeks. The patient went on to have a 2nd stage revision, making a good recovery. An 85 year old woman presented with an 18 month history of discomfort and recurrent abscesses along the wound line of a left hip prosthesis, implanted over 20 years ago. She had a background of osteoarthritis and bullous phemphigoid, previously on steroid treatment. Fluid from the abscess was aspirated and isolated L. monocytogenes. Due to patient preference and frailty, radical revision was not thought a viable management option. Chronic suppressive therapy with oral amoxicillin was therefore instigated; one year on the infection remains well controlled and discomfort in the left hip has improved. L. monocytogenes has previously been infrequently implicated as a pathogen in prosthetic joint infection; however, there are reports of increasing numbers of cases particularly amongst immunosuppressed individuals. With an expanding at-risk population(1), its importance as a cause of prosthetic joint infection is set to rise in the future. Optimal management has not been well studied; it is likely that the best option combines antimicrobial therapy and prosthetic removal if possible

Aim. Antimicrobial suppression has shown to significantly improve treatment success of streptococcal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) compared to 12-week standard antimicrobial therapy, however, only short-term follow-up was investigated. In this study we assessed the impact of suppression on the long-term outcome of streptococcal PJI. Method. Consecutive patients with streptococcal PJI (defined by EBJIS criteria) treated 2009–2021 were prospectively included and allocated into standard and suppression (> 6 months) treatment group. Infection-free survival was assessed with Kaplan-Meier-method and compared between the groups with log rank test. Rates of infection-free, streptococcal infection-free and relapse-free status as well as tolerability of suppression were assessed. Results. Sixty-three PJI episodes (36 knee, 26 hip and one shoulder prosthesis) of patients with a median age of 70 (35–87) years were included. Twenty-seven (43%) were females. Predominant pathogens were S. agalactiae (n=20), S. dysgalactiae (n=18) and S. mitis/oralis (n=13). The main surgical procedures used were two-stage exchange (n=35) and prosthesis retention (n=21). Standard 12-week treatment was administered in 33 patients and suppression in 30 patients, of whom 10 had ongoing suppression and 20 had discontinued antibiotics at time of follow-up. Used oral antibiotics for suppression were amoxicillin (n=29), doxycycline (n=5) and clindamycin (n=2); 6 patients changed antibiotic substance due to side effects. The median follow-up time was 3.9 (0.3–13.3) years. Infection-free survival after 7.5 years was 38% with standard treatment and 62% with suppression (p=0.038). Of all failures, 52% (14/27) were due to streptococci. Suppression was effective in preventing streptococcal infection for the duration of antimicrobial treatment, however, after discontinuation relapses or new infections due to streptococci occurred in 5/20 (25%) patients and infection with any Streptococcus spp. was observed in 9/19 (47%) failures with standard treatment, 5/6 (83%) failures after discontinuing suppression and none during suppression. All failures in patients with ongoing suppression were caused by gram-negative rods. Conclusion. At long-term follow-up, the success rate was superior with suppression compared to standard treatment. Most failures after stopping suppression were caused by streptococci, whereas failures under suppression were caused by aerobic gram-negative rods

Background and aim. In 2019, specific diagnostic and antibiotic treatment recommendations for diabetic foot infection (DFI) and osteomyelitis (DFO) were introduced in our institution. They include principles on numbers of biopsies to obtain for microbiological/histopathological examinations, labeling anatomic localization, and antibiotic treatment (ABT) duration based on the aforementioned findings. ABT should be stopped after complete resection of infected bone. In case of incomplete resection, treatment is continued for 4–6 weeks. Two years after the introduction of these recommendations, we investigated the degree of implementation for hospitalized patients. Method. Adult patients with DFI/DFO undergoing surgical intervention from 01/2019–12/2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnostic procedures were assigned to each episode when performed ≤30 days before surgical invention. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney-U tests were performed where appropriate. Results. We included 80 patients with 117 hospital episodes and 163 surgical interventions (mean 1.5 episodes and 2 interventions per patient). The mean age was 69.6 (SD 11.5) years, 75% were male. Vascular examination and MRI were performed in 70.9% and 74.4% of episodes, respectively. Impaired perfusion and DFO were confirmed in 34.9% and 56.3%, respectively. Blood cultures were sampled in 34.2%, bacteremia detected in 7.7% with S. aureus being the most common microorganism. Biopsies were obtained in 71.8% of operations, in 90.5% of those 3–5 samples. These were sent for histological examination in 63.2% of the interventions. In 43.6% the anatomic location was labeled ‘proximal to the resection margin’. Preoperative antibiotics were administered in 41.9% of the episodes because of concomitant soft-tissue infections. The most commonly used compound was amoxicillin/clavulanate (74.4%). ABT duration varied significantly when there were signs of DFO in preoperative MRI (p=0.015). The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 9 (IQR 5–15) days in surgically cured episodes and 40.5 (IQR 15–42) days in cases with resection margins in non-healthy bone (p<0.0001). The results were similar when analyzing treatment duration with respect to osteomyelitis in histology: 13 (IQR 8–42) versus 29 (IQR 13–42) days, respectively (p=0.026). Conclusions. The adherence to recommendations in terms of biopsy sampling was excellent, moderate for sending samples to histology and poor for labeling the anatomic location. The adherence to ABT duration was good but can be improved by shortening treatment duration for surgically cured cases. Results of preoperative MRI appear to be influential on the decision-making for treatment duration

Aim. Bone and joint infections are frequent in African countries and their prevention and treatment remain a great challenge. This study aimed to determine the bacterial ecology and sensitivity of isolates to locally available antibiotics in orthopedic unit of a tertiary care hospital in Cameroun. Method. During a 12 months period, all the patients presenting with osteomyelitis or septic arthritis irrespective of the mechanism and the location were enrolled in this study. Intraoperative samples (biopsies) were taken and sent for microbiological analysis, and all strains isolated were tested for antibiotic sensitivity according to conventional methods. Results. on the 52 bacteriological analysis performed, 48 were positive. The most isolated germs were staphylococcus aureus (41.9 % of isolates), pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.5 %), Escherichia coli (14.5 %) and Klebsiella pneumonia (12.9 %). The antibiotic sensitivity pattern revealed worrying resistance rates for common and affordable antibiotics: ampicillin (94 %), amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (63.9 %), ceftazidim (65.5%), ticarcillin + clavulanate (57.4%), gentamycin (49 %), ciprofloxacin (40 %), cefuroxim (40 %), tobramycin (38.5 %). The strains of Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to penicillin G (83%), oxacillin (25%), lincomycin (27%) and vancomycin (7%). The overall highest sensitivity rates were observed with amikacin (92 %) and imipenem (90.1%), which for many patients were the only effective locally available antibiotics. The daily cost of treatment with those two antibiotics is close to the guaranteed minimum wage in our country. Conclusions. The alarming rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria makes the long antibiotic treatment of bone infections unaffordable (in a context of lack of social insurance) for most of our patients. We advocate strong national policies for bacteriological surveillance and antibiotic misuse de-escalation to prevent antibiotic resistance

Aim. The treatment of chronic orthopedic device-related infection (ODRI) often requires multiple surgeries and prolonged antibiotic therapy. In a two-stage exchange procedure, the treatment protocol includes device removal and placement of an antibiotic-loaded bone cement spacer to achieve high local antibiotic concentrations. At the second stage, further surgery is required to remove the spacer and replace it with the definitive device. We have recently developed a thermo-responsive hyaluronan hydrogel (THH) that may be loaded with antibiotics and used as delivery system. Since the material is bio-resorbable, it does not require surgical removal and may therefore be suitable for use as treatment strategy in a single-stage exchange. This aim of this study was to evaluate gentamicin sulphate (Genta)-loaded THH (THH-Genta) for treating a chronic Staphylococcus aureus ODRI in sheep using a single-stage procedure. Methods. Twelve Swiss-alpine sheep received an IM tibia nail and an inoculation of a gentamicin-sensitive clinical strain of Staphylococcus aureus. After letting a chronic infection develop for 8 weeks, a revision procedure was performed: the implant was removed, the IM canal debrided and biopsies were taken for culture. The IM canal was then filled with 25ml THH-Genta (1% Genta) or left empty (control group) prior to the implantation of a sterile nail. An ultrafiltration probe was placed within the IM cavity to collect extracellular fluid and determine local antibiotic levels for 10 days. Both groups received systemic amoxicillin and clavulanic acid for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks without treatment for antibiotic washout. At euthanasia, IM nail, bone marrow, bone and tissue samples were harvested for quantitative bacteriology. Results. All sheep were infected at revision surgery as confirmed by cultures of biopsies and sonication of the IM nail. Local Genta concentrations ranged on average from 830µg/ml postoperatively to below 5µg/ml after 8 days. At euthanasia, S. aureus was detected in 5/5 IM nails, 5/5 bone marrow samples, and 8/25 superficial soft tissue samples in the control group (one control sheep was excluded for having a superinfection). In the THH-Genta group, S. aureus was cultured from 0/6 IM nails, 1/6 bone marrow samples, and 1/30 superficial soft tissue samples. Conclusions. The THH showed a Genta release pattern that started with high local concentrations and decreased to low concentrations within 10 days. Local Genta delivery by THH combined with systemic antibiotics significantly reduced infection rates whereas systemic therapy alone was unable to eradicate infection in any animal

The prevalence of Staphylococcus infections do not decrease despite the preventive measures. The methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major nosocomial pathogen in community hospitals and responsible 60% of staph infections. Through this study we try to study the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus in the bone and joint infections. We report a 2-year study retrospectipevelly about 25 cases of bone and joint infection staphilococcus methicillin-resistant. All patients underwent clinical examination, an inflammatory balance and surgical treatment with sampling and bacteriological study of the removal liquid and regular monitoring in all patients. The mean age was 5 years and a half. The sexe ratio was 1.2. mean follow-up of 3 months. One patient had dificit G6PD. The mostaffected area was the capital in 64% of cases. The most common location was at the knee in 32%. The most frequent diagnosis was arthritis followed by osteomyelitis. The antibiotics of the first intention was based on amoxicillin and clavulanic acid associated with an aminoglycoside. It was effective in 75%, and modified according to the results of susceptibility testing in 10 cases. The average duration of antibiotic therapy in IV was ten days. The duration of treatment by oral route relay varies from 10 to 21 days. The apyrexia on day 1 postoperatively was obtained in 73%. The screening of patients at risk of carrying MRSA and isolation should help keep to a minimum cross transmission of infections and the number of non-colonized patients. Place of antibiotic therapy is preponderant and meets pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic criteria that must be followed in order to optimize medical treatment

Early prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are managed with debridement, implant retention and antibiotics (DAIR). Our aim was to evaluate risk factors for failure after stopping antibiotic treatment. From 1999 to 2013 early PJIs managed with DAIR were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. The main variables potentially associated with outcome were gathered and the minimum follow-up was 2 years. Primary endpoint was implant removal or the need of reintroducing antibiotic treatment due to failure. A total of 143 patients met the inclusion criteria. The failure rate after a median (IQR) duration of oral antibiotic treatment of 69 (45–95) days was 11.8%. In 92 cases PJI was due to gram-positive (GP) microorganisms, in 21 due to gram-negatives (GN) and 30 had a polymicrobial infection. In GP infections, combination of rifampin with linezolid, cotrimoxazole or clindamycin was associated with a higher failure rate (27.8%, P=0.026) in comparison to patients receiving a combination of rifampin with levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin (8.3%) or monotherapy with linezolid or cotrimoxazole (0%) (Figure 1). Among patients with a GN infection, the use of fluoroquinolones was associated with a lower failure rate (7.1% vs 37.5%, P=0.044). Duration of antibiotic treatment was not associated with failure. The only factor associated with failure was the oral antibiotic selection, but not the duration of treatment. Linezolid, cotrimoxazole and clindamycin but not levofloxacin serum concentrations are reduced by rifampin; a fact that could explain our findings. Further studies monitoring serum concentration could help to improve the efficacy of these antibiotics when combining with rifampin

To report our experience with the use of local antibiotic co-delivery with a synthetic bone graft substitute during a second stage re-implantation of an infected proximal humeral replacement. A 72 year old man was admitted to our department with a pathological fracture through an osteolytic lesion in the left proximal humerus, due to IgG Myelomatosis. He was initially treated with a cemented proximal humerus replacement hemiarthroplasty. Peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) with significant joint distention was evident three weeks post operatively. Revision surgery confirmed presence of a large collection of pus and revealed disruption of the soft tissue reattachment tube, as well as complete retraction of rotator cuff and residual capsule. All modular components were removed and an antibiotic-laden cement spacer (1.8g of Clindamycin and Gentamycin, respectively) was implanted onto the well-fixed cemented humeral stem. Initial treatment with i.v. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid was changed to Rifampicin and Fusidic Acid during a further 8 weeks after cultures revealed growth of S. epidermidis. During second stage revision, a hybrid inverse prosthesis with silver coating was implanted, with a total of 20 ml Cerament ™G (injected into the glenoid cavity prior to insertion of the base plate and around the humeral implant-bone interface) and again stabilized with a Trevira tube. Unfortunately, this prosthesis remained unstable, ultimately requiring re-revision to a completely new constrained reverse prosthesis with a custom glenoid shell and silver-coated proximal humeral component. 18 months postoperatively, the patient's shoulder remains pain free and stable, without signs of persistent or reinfection since the initial second stage revision. The function however, unfortunately remains poor. This case report illustrates the application of an antibiotic-eluting bone graft substitute in a specific clinical situation, where co-delivery of an antibiotic together with a bone remodeling agent may be beneficial to simultaneously address PJI as well as poor residual bone quality

Treatment of open fractures is complex and controversial. The purpose of the present study is to add evidence to the management of open tibial fractures, where tissue loss necessitates cover with a free flap. We identified factors that increase the risk of complications. We questioned whether early flap coverage improved the clinical outcome and whether we could improve our antibiotic treatment of open fractures. From 2002 to 2013 we treated 56 patients with an open tibial fracture covered with a free flap. We reviewed patient records and databases for type of trauma, smoking, time to tissue cover, infection, amputations, flap loss and union of fracture. We identified factors thatincrease the risk of complications. We analyzed the organisms cultured from open fractures to propose the optimal antibiotic prophylaxis. Follow-up was minimum one year. Primary outcome was infection, bacterial sensitivity pattern, amputation, flap failure and union of the fracture. When soft tissue cover was delayed beyond 7 days, infection rate increased from 27% to 60% (p<0.04). High-energy trauma patients had a higher risk of amputation, infection, flap failure and non-union. Smokers had a higher risk of non-union and flap failure. The bacteria found were often resistant to Cefuroxime, aminoglycosides or amoxicillin, but sensitive to Vancomycin or Meropenem. Flap cover within one week is essential to avoid infection. High-energy trauma and smoking are important predictors of complications. We suggest antibiotic prophylaxis with Vancomycin and Meropenem until the wound is covered in these complex injuries. The authors wish to thank Christian E Forrestal for secretarial assistance, spreadsheets and figures, MD Maria Petersen for academic feedback and typography. Table: Culture results. Depicts the organisms isolated from the wounds, their number N and the number of bacteria that were fully susceptible to antibiotics according to the culture results in falling order on day 2–30 from the trauma. Most organisms were resistant to Cefuroxime. A blank space denotes that the organism was not tested against this antibiotic. A “0” denotes that the organism was not fully sensitive to the antibiotic

Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are caused by a variety of microorganisms but most frequently by staphylococci. The results of treatment of PJI due to organisms other than staphylococci are less known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes after streptococcal PJI. The data of 26 streptococcal (13 hip and 13 knee PJI from 24 patients) were retrieved from hospital based PJI register, and analyzed. There were 15 female and 11 male patients (mean age 66 y). Most (13) PJI were hematogenous. 15 PJI had been treated with debridement and retention (D&R) of the infected joint, 1 with permanent resection arthroplasty, 9 had two stage revision and 1 patient had one stage partial replacement. After the microbiological diagnosis was established most patients received 2–3 weeks of penicillin G or ceftriaxone followed by 2–6 months of oral amoxicillin. All patients had regular follow-ups after the procedure at least at 1 month, three months and one year. The results were classified as: PJI cure (in absence of clinical signs and symptoms of infection and with negative CRP), probable failure (in absence of clinical signs and symptoms of infection but with elevated CRP), definite failure (if a new treatment was necessary), and mechanical failure (aseptic loosening, periprosthetic fracture, quadriceps rupture). One foreign patient was lost to follow up. The mean follow up time for the rest was 60 months (from 16 to 167) months. There was probable prosthesis failure in 1 case, definite prosthesis failure in 7 cases and mechanical failure in 3 cases. The mean survival time of the failed prostheses was 28 (range from 2 to 83) months. 6 failures (40 %) occurred in group of cases that had undergone D&R, and 1 (6 %) in the two stage revision group. Among the 7 definite failures in 4 patients antibiotic treatment was empirically started after the symptoms reappeared resulting in long remission periods. Comparing to the published results of staphylococcal PJI it seems that D&R of the prosthesis for streptococcal PJI is considerably less successful. Rifampicin as a proven treatment of choice for staphylococcal infections is probably the main reason for the difference. An unexpected feature of streptococcal PJI is that definite failures are easily suppressed for long time with a short course of oral antibiotics

Aims

Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes; previously known as Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes) periprosthetic hip and knee infections are under-reported. While culture contamination with C. acnes occurs, true infections are important to recognize and treat. We sought to describe the demographics and treatment outcomes of patients with C. acnes periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) of the hip and knee.

The June 2024 Knee Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: The estimated lifetime risk of revision after primary knee arthroplasty influenced by age, sex, and indication; Should high-risk patients seek out care from high-volume surgeons?; Stability and fracture rates in medial unicondylar knee arthroplasties; Rethinking antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures post-arthroplasty; Evaluating DAIR: a viable alternative for acute periprosthetic joint infection; The characteristics and predictors of mortality in periprosthetic fractures around the knee; Patient health-related quality of life deteriorates significantly while waiting six to 12 months for total hip or knee arthroplasty; The importance of looking for diversity in knee implants.

Aims

A revision for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has a major effect on the patient’s quality of life, including walking capacity. The objective of this case control study was to investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes to the gluteus medius tendon (GMED) in patients revised due to a PJI, and to compare it with revision THAs without infection performed using the same lateral approach.

The June 2023 Wrist & Hand Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Residual flexion deformity after scaphoid nonunion surgery: a seven-year follow-up study; The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with concurrent hand and psychological disorders; Bite injuries to the hand and forearm: analysis of hospital stay, treatment, and costs; Outcomes of acute perilunate injuries - a systematic review; Abnormal MRI signal intensity of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in asymptomatic wrists; Patient comprehension of operative instructions with a paper handout versus a video: a prospective, randomized controlled trial; Can common hand surgeries be undertaken in the office setting?; The effect of corticosteroid injections on postoperative infections in trigger finger release.