Aims. HIV predisposes patients to opportunistic infections. However, with the establishment of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), patients’ CD4 counts are maintained, as is a near normal life expectancy. This study aimed to establish the impact of HIV on the bacteriology of spondylodiscitis in a region in which tuberculosis (TB) is endemic, and to identify factors that might distinguish between them. Patients and Methods. Between January 2014 and December 2015, 63 consecutive cases of spontaneous spondylodiscitis were identified from a single-centre, prospectively maintained database. Demographics, presenting symptoms, blood results, HIV status, bacteriology, imaging, and procedure undertaken were reviewed and comparisons made of TB, non-TB, and HIV groups. There were 63 patients (22 male, 41 female) with a mean age of 42.0 years (11 to 78; . sd. 15.0). Results. In total, 53 patients had tuberculous, nine bacterial, and one cryptococcal spondylodiscitis. There were 29 HIV-positive patients, 29 HIV-negative patients, and five patients with unknown HIV status. The local incidence of TB spondylodiscitis was 1.54/100 000 and that of non-TB spondylodiscitis was 0.29/100 000 per annum. TB patients were younger with similar clinical presentation and infective markers, but were more likely to have a paraspinal abscess. They were also less likely to have a hyperintense disc on MRI. There was no difference between the two HIV groups. Conclusion. In areas of endemic TB and HIV, TB remains the most common cause of spondylodiscitis at five times the rate of non-tuberculous causes. HIV managed with HAART increases the rate of infection but does not influence the bacteriology unless there is a low CD4. There was little to differentiate the groups. TB /HIV co-infected patients were younger than non-TB and HIV-negative patients. Non-TB patients were more likely to have disc hyperintensity on MRI and TB patients were more likely to have abscess formation, but as both groups exhibited these features, neither was diagnostic. Culture confirmation remains necessary. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:617–620

There are 33 million people worldwide currently infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This complex disease affects many of the processes involved in wound and fracture healing, and there is little evidence available to guide the management of open fractures in these patients. Fears of acute and delayed infection often inhibit the use of fixation, which may be the most effective way of achieving union. This study compared fixation of open fractures in HIV-positive and -negative patients in South Africa, a country with very high rates of both HIV and high-energy trauma. A total of 133 patients (33 HIV-positive) with 135 open fractures fulfilled the inclusion criteria. This cohort is three times larger than in any similar previously published study. The results suggest that HIV is not a contraindication to internal or external fixation of open fractures in this population, as HIV is not a significant risk factor for acute wound/implant infection. However, subgroup analysis of grade I open fractures in patients with advanced HIV and a low CD4 count (< 350) showed an increased risk of infection; we suggest that grade I open fractures in patients with advanced HIV should be treated by early debridement followed by fixation at an appropriate time

Tuberculosis (TB) remains endemic in many parts of the developing world and is increasingly seen in the developed world due to migration. A total of 1.3 million people die annually from the disease. Spinal TB is the most common musculoskeletal manifestation, affecting about 1 to 2% of all cases of TB. The coexistence of HIV, which is endemic in some regions, adds to the burden and the complexity of management. This review discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, impact of HIV and both the medical and surgical options in the management of spinal TB. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:425–31

We compared early post-operative rates of wound infection in HIV-positive and -negative patients presenting with open tibial fractures managed with surgical fixation. The wounds of 84 patients (85 fractures), 28 of whom were HIV positive and 56 were HIV negative, were assessed for signs of infection using the ASEPIS wound score. There were 19 women and 65 men with a mean age of 34.8 years. A total of 57 fractures (17 HIV-positive, 40 HIV-negative) treated with external fixation were also assessed using the Checkett score for pin-site infection. The remaining 28 fractures were treated with internal fixation. No significant difference in early post-operative wound infection between the two groups of patients was found (10.7% (n = 3) vs 19.6% (n = 11); relative risk (RR) 0.55 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 1.8); p = 0.32). There was also no significant difference in pin-site infection rates (17.6% (n = 3) vs 12.5% (n = 5); RR 1.62 (95% CI 0.44 to 6.07); p = 0.47). The study does not support the hypothesis that HIV significantly increases the rate of early wound or pin-site infection in open tibial fractures. We would therefore suggest that a patient’s HIV status should not alter the management of open tibial fractures in patients who have a CD4 count > 350 cells/μl. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1703–7

We report a prospective single-blind controlled study of the incidence of early wound infection after internal fixation for trauma in 609 patients, of whom 132 were HIV-positive. Wounds were assessed for healing using the ASEPSIS score. There was no significant difference in the rate of infection between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients undergoing clean surgery (4.2% vs 6%, respectively; p = 0.65). HIV-positive patients did not receive additional antibiotic prophylaxis or antiretroviral therapy as part of their management. The difference in the rate of infection between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with an open fracture or other contamination was not significant (33% vs 15%, respectively; p = 0.064). There was no relationship between CD4 count and infection rate. HIV status did not significantly influence the number of secondary surgical procedures (p = 0.183) or the likelihood of developing chronic osteomyelitis (p = 0.131). Although previous contamination from the time of injury was a risk factor for infection in mal- and nonunions, it was not significantly increased in HIV-positive patients (p = 0.144). We conclude that clean implant surgery in HIV-positive patients is safe, with no need for additional prophylaxis

The prevalence of HIV infection in East Africa has increased rapidly in recent years. We made a prospective study of the incidence of HIV-seropositivity in patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures in a large district hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. One of our aims was to determine whether a clinically-based screening programme, derived from the Centre for Disease Control classification of HIV infection, could identify high-risk individuals before surgery. During a 3-month period, 76 patients were tested, and 12 were HIV-positive (16%). Only two of these patients (17%) had clinical features associated with HIV infection; ten (83%) were entirely asymptomatic. Our results indicate that preoperative clinical screening is unlikely to be successful in identifying seropositive patients before routine surgery.

We report the short-term follow-up, functional outcome and incidence of early and late infection after total hip replacement (THR) in a group of HIV-positive patients who do not suffer from haemophilia or have a history of intravenous drug use. A total of 29 patients underwent 43 THRs, with a mean follow-up of three years and six months (five months to eight years and two months). There were ten women and 19 men, with a mean age of 47 years and seven months (21 years to 59 years and five months). No early (< 6 weeks) or late (> 6 weeks) complications occurred following their THR. The mean pre-operative Harris hip score (HHS) was 27 (6 to 56) and the mean post-operative HHS was 86 (73 to 91), giving a mean improvement of 59 points (p = < 0.05, Student’s t-test). No revision procedures had been undertaken in any of the patients, and none had any symptoms consistent with aseptic loosening. This study demonstrates that it is safe to perform THR in HIV-positive patients, with good short-term functional outcomes and no apparent increase in the risk of early infection.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:462–6.

Highly active anti-retroviral therapy has transformed HIV into a chronic disease with a long-term asymptomatic phase. As a result, emphasis is shifting to other effects of the virus, aside from immunosuppression and mortality. We have reviewed the current evidence for an association between HIV infection and poor fracture healing. The increased prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in HIV patients is well recognised. The suggestion that this may be purely as a result of highly active anti-retroviral therapy has been largely rejected. Apart from directly impeding cellular function in bone remodelling, HIV infection is known to cause derangement in the levels of those cytokines involved in fracture healing (particularly tumour necrosis factor-α) and appears to impair the blood supply of bone. Many other factors complicate this issue, including a reduced body mass index, suboptimal nutrition, the effects of anti-retroviral drugs and the avoidance of operative intervention because of high rates of wound infection. However, there are sound molecular and biochemical hypotheses for a direct relationship between HIV infection and impaired fracture healing, and the rewards for further knowledge in this area are extensive in terms of optimised fracture management, reduced patient morbidity and educated resource allocation. Further investigation in this area is overdue

In Africa the amount of joint replacement surgery is increasing, but the indications for operation and the age of the patients are considerably different from those in the developed world. New centres with variable standards of care and training of the surgeons are performing these procedures and it is important that a proper audit of this work is undertaken. In Malawi, we have pioneered a Registry which includes all joint replacements that have been carried out in the country. The data gathered include the age, gender, indication for operation, the prosthesis used, the surgical approach, the use of bone graft, the type of cement, pressurising systems and the thromboprophylaxis used. All patients have their clinical scores recorded pre-operatively and then after three and six months and at one year. Before operation all patients are counselled and on consent their HIV status is established allowing analysis of the effect of HIV on successful joint replacement. To date, 73 total hip replacements (THRs) have been carried out in 58 patients by four surgeons in four different hospitals. The most common indications for THR were avascular necrosis (35 hips) and osteoarthritis (22 hips). The information concerning 20 total knee replacements has also been added to the Registry

The results of primary total knee replacement performed on a group of haemophiliac patients in a single institution by the same surgeon using the same surgical technique and prosthesis are reported. A total of 35 primary replacements in 30 patients were carried out between 1996 and 2005 and were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 31 years (24 to 42) and the mean follow-up was for 7.5 years (1 to 10). There were 25 patients with haemophilia A and five with haemophilia B. The HIV status and CD4 count were recorded, and Knee Society scores determined. Two patients had inhibitors to the deficient coagulation factor. There were no early wound infections and only one late deep infection which required a two-stage revision arthroplasty, with a good final result. The incidence of infection in HIV-positive and negative patients was thus similar. One knee in a patient with inhibitor had excessive bleeding due to a pseudoaneurysm which required embolisation. The results were excellent in 27 knees (77%), good in six (17%) and fair in two (6%). The survival rate at 7.5 years taking removal of the prosthesis for loosening or infection as the end-point was 97%. The mechanical survival of total knee replacements in haemophiliacs is very good. Our results confirm that this is a reproducible procedure in haemophilia, even in HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count > 200 mm. 3. and those with inhibitors. Our rate of infection was lower than previously reported. This could be due to better control of the HIV status with highly active anti-retroviral therapy and the use of antibiotic-loaded cement

Infection of human cartilage with HIV in vivo has not previously been reported. Specimens of articular cartilage taken at postmortem from ten patients who were HIV-positive were examined. Two had AIDS and eight were believed to have stage-2 disease. The standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol was modified to allow semiquantitative analysis of the samples. Oligonucleotide primers labelled with . 32. P gamma-ATP were used to detect a segment of HIV DNA and a control DNA gene segment (HLA genome) to estimate the ratio of infected cells. The . 32. P-labelled PCR products were separated on acrylamide gels and visualised directly by autoradiography and computer densitometry. Infection of human cartilage in vivo was demonstrated in nine of the ten samples in which the PCR analysis was positive. The other did not react sufficiently to produce detectable radiolabelled PCR product despite repeated DNA digestion and extraction. Cartilage infected with HIV could be a potential source of HIV when used in operations

The lack of an accurate, rapid diagnostic test for mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a major handicap in the management of spinal TB. GeneXpert, a new, rapid molecular diagnostic test is recommended as the first line investigation for suspected pulmonary TB in areas with a high prevalence of HIV or drug resistance, yet it has not been validated for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal TB. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of GeneXpert in diagnosing spinal TB. A prospective clinical study of 69 consecutive adults with suspected spinal TB was conducted at a tertiary hospital in an area with the highest incidence and prevalence of TB in the world. GeneXpert was used on tissue samples of the enrolled patients and its diagnostic accuracy compared with a reference standard of tissue in liquid culture. A total of 71 spine samples from 69 patients (two re-biopsies) were included in the study. The GeneXpert test showed a sensitivity of 95.6% and specificity of 96.2% for spinal TB. The results of the GeneXpert test were available within 48 hours compared with a median of 35 days (IQR 15 to 43) for cultures. All cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR TB) were diagnosed accurately with the GeneXpert test. The MDR TB rate was 5.8%. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1366–9

Patients infected with HIV presenting with an open fracture of a long bone are difficult to manage. There is an unacceptably high rate of post-operative infection after internal fixation. There are no published data on the use of external fixation in such patients. We compared the rates of pin-track infection in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients presenting with an open fracture. There were 47 patients with 50 external fixators, 13 of whom were HIV-positive (15 fixators). There were significantly more pin-track infections requiring pharmaceutical or surgical intervention (Checketts grade 2 or greater) in the HIV-positive group (t-test, p = 0.001). The overall rate of severe pin-track infection in the HIV-positive patients requiring removal of the external-fixator pins was 7%. This contrasts with other published data which have shown higher rates of wound infection if open fractures are treated by internal fixation. We recommend the use of external fixation for the treatment of open fractures in HIV-positive patients

A series of 14 patients suffering from tuberculosis of the sternum with a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (2 to 3.6) is presented. All were treated with antitubercular therapy: ten with primary therapy, two needed second-line therapy, and two required surgery (debridement). All showed complete healing and no evidence of recurrence at the last follow-up. MRI was useful in making the diagnosis at an early stage because atypical presentations resulting from HIV have become more common. Early adequate treatment with multidrug antitubercular therapy avoided the need for surgery in 12 of our 14 patients

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between additional rehabilitation at the weekend, and in-hospital mortality and complications in patients with hip fracture who underwent surgery.

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This study aims to determine difference in annual rate of early-onset (≤ 90 days) deep surgical site infection (SSI) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis, and to identify risk factors that may be associated with infection.

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The aim of this study was to compare the early postoperative mortality and morbidity in older patients with a fracture of the femoral neck, between those who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and those who underwent hemiarthroplasty.

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The use of multimodal non-opioid analgesia in hip fractures, specifically acetaminophen combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), has been increasing. However, the effectiveness and safety of this approach remain unclear. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes among patients with hip fractures who preoperatively received either acetaminophen combined with NSAIDs, NSAIDs alone, or acetaminophen alone.