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Introduction: While large progress has been achieved in identifying and treating the most common pathogens involved in periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), there remains limited knowledge on atypical pathogens such as Corynebacterium. For that reason, we analyzed infection and diagnostical characteristics, as well as treatment outcome in Corynebacterium PJI. Methods: A systematic review was performed based on a structured PubMed and Cochrane Library analysis using the PRISMA algorithm. The search was performed by 2 independent reviewers, and articles from 1960 to 2022 considered eligible for inclusion. Out of 370 search results, 12 studies were included for study synthesis. Results: In total, 52 cases of Corynebacterium PJI were identified (31 knees, 16 hips, 4 elbows, 1 shoulder). Mean age was 65 years, with 53% females, and a mean Charlson Comorbidity Index of 3.9. The most common species was Corynebacterium striatum in 37 cases (71%). Most patients were treated with two-stage exchange (40%), isolated irrigation and debridement (21%), and resection arthroplasty (19%). Mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 8.5 weeks. At a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, there were 18 reinfections (33%), and 39% were for Corynebacterium. Initial infection by Corynebacterium striatum species was predictive of reoperation (p = 0.035) and reinfection (p = 0.07). Conclusion: Corynebacterium PJI affects multimorbid and elderly patients, with one in three developing a reinfection at short term. Importantly, the relative majority of reinfections was for persistent Corynebacterium PJI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) in the elderly is among the clinically most challenging scenarios given multimorbidity combined with poor bone and soft tissue quality. Despite increasing prevalence, limited is known on PJI among this unique group of patients. As such, this study analyzed PJI characteristics, implant survivorship and non-surgical complications of octogenarians revised PJI for the knee. Methods: We identified 31 patients that were revised for PJIs of the knee between 2010 and 2019 using a single university-based registry. Mean age was 83 years (range 80–87), 48% were females, and mean BMI was 29 kg/m2. Mean age adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index was 7, and mean ASA score was 3. Major causative pathogens included Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (26%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%), and Streptococci (13%). Two-stage exchange was performed in 30 patients, permanent resection arthroplasty in one joint. Kaplan–Meier survivorship analyses were performed. Mean follow-up was 4 years. Results: The 2-year survivorship free of any recurrent PJI was 96%, and there was one PJI relapse noted at 6 months. Moreover, there were three additional revisions for aseptic loosening, and one further revision for fracture. As such, the 2-year survivorship free of any revision was 87%. In addition to the aforementioned revisions, there was one additional plate osteosynthesis for a Vancouver C fracture, resulting in a 79% survivorship free of any reoperation at 2 years. Mean perioperative complication score according to the Clavien–Dindo classification was 2 out of 5. A total of three patients died: one patient 40 days after resection arthroplasty, two others 4 months and 8 months after reimplantation. Conclusions: Octogenarians revised for PJI of the knee are at low risk of recurrent infection and overall revision at 2 years. However, moderate rates of perioperative complications and mortality at short term must acknowledge before deciding upon procedure. Level of evidence: Therapeutic level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A preoperative pathogen detection is considered a prerequisite before undergoing one-stage exchange for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) according to most guidelines. This study compares patients with and without preoperative pathogen detection undergoing one-stage exchange for PJI of the hip. The authors put up the hypothesis that a preoperative pathogen detection is no prerequisite in selected cases undergoing one-stage exchange. Methods: 30 consecutive patients with PJI of the hip, treated with one-stage exchange, between 2011 and 2021, were retrospectively included. Mean age was 70 years and mean follow-up 2.1 ± 1.8 years. PJI was defined according to the European Bone and Joint Infection Society. One-stage exchange was performed in (1) chronic PJI longer than 4 weeks, (2) well-retained bone condition, (3) absence of multiple prior revisions for PJI (≤ 2) with absence of difficult-to-treat pathogens in the past, and (4) necessity/preference for early mobility due to comorbidities/age. Results: One-stage exchange was performed in 20 patients with and in 10 without a preoperative pathogen detection. Age (71 years, 68 years, p = 0.519), sex (50% and 30% males, p = 0.440), American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (2.2, 2.4, p = 0.502), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (3, 4, p = 0.530) did not differ among the two groups. No significant differences were noted concerning preoperative CRP (15 mg/l, 43 mg/l, p = 0.228), synovial cell count (15.990/nl, 5.308/nl, p = 0.887), radiological signs of loosening (55%, 50%, p = 0.999), and intraoperative histopathology. Except a higher rate of coagulase-negative staphylococci (70%, 20%, p = 0.019) in patients with a preoperative pathogen detection, no significant differences in pathogen spectrum were identified among groups. Revision for PJI recurrence was performed in one patient with an initial preoperative pathogen detection (3.3%). Additional revisions were performed for dislocation in two and postoperative hematoma in one patient. Revision rate for both septic and aseptic causes (p = 0.999), stay in hospital (16 and 15 days, p = 0.373) and modified Harris Hip Score (60, 71, p = 0.350) did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Patients with and without a preoperative pathogen detection did not show significant differences concerning baseline characteristics, clinical and functional outcomes at 2 years. An absent preoperative pathogen detection is no absolute contraindication for one-stage exchange in chronic PJI, if involving good bone quality and absence of multiple prior revisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: D-Dimer was recently identified as an additional biomarker in the diagnosis of hip and knee periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Currently, there is only one study in literature dealing with the role of D-Dimer in the diagnosis of shoulder PJI. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to validate the sensitivity and specificity of D-Dimer in detecting shoulder PJI. Materials and methods: All patients, who underwent septic or aseptic revision shoulder arthroplasty in our institution between November 2018 und March 2021, were analyzed. Our cohort consisted of 30 patients, of that 14 (47%) had a shoulder PJI according the last proposed criteria of the International Consensus Meeting. The diagnostic validity of serum D-Dimer regarding the detection of PJI was analyzed. Results: The mean D-Dimer level was significantly higher for the patients with shoulder PJI compared to patients with aseptic failure (1.44 ± 1 mg/l vs. 0.76 ± 0.6 mg/l, p = 0.025). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly isolated pathogens, in 9/14 patients (64%), followed by Cutibacterium acnes in 5/14 patients (36%). According to the ROC analysis, a serum D-Dimer threshold of 0.75 mg/l had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 56% for detection of a shoulder PJI. The area under curve was 0.74. A serum C-reactive protein (CRP) cutoff of 10 mg/l showed a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 88%. When both serum D-Dimer and CRP above the thresholds of 0.75 mg/l and 10 mg/l, respectively, were used to identify a PJI the sensitivity and specificity were 57% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: Serum D-Dimer showed a good sensitivity but a poor specificity for the diagnosis of shoulder PJI. Combination D-Dimer and CRP led to improvement of the specificity, however, at the cost of sensitivity. Thus, combination of both methods may be used as a confirmatory test in the diagnosis of shoulder PJI but not to rule out infection. Level of evidence: Diagnostic level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite its scarcity, fungal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is of great clinical relevance as diagnosis and treatment are highly challenging. Previous analyses focused on the treatment rather than the role of the causative fungal agent on clinical outcome. This is the largest study of its kind to evaluate Candida strain–dependent differences in patients with fungal PJI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 29 patients who underwent surgical intervention due to Candida hip or knee PJI in our department from 2010 to 2018. PJI was defined according to IDSA, recurrent PJI according to modified Delphi consensus criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, chi-square test with Yates correction, and log rank test. Results: Besides age and affected joint, no significant differences were found between Candida albicans and non-albicans PJI patients (75.83 versus 64.11 years, p = 0.012; 12 hip versus two knee cases, p = 0.013). Most patients received two- (27.59%) or three-stage exchange surgery (41.38%). There was a statistical trend towards an increase in surgery needed in non-albicans Candida PJI (2.92 versus 2.12; p = 0.103). After initial Candida PJI treatment, functional prosthesis implantation was achieved in 72.41% of all patients. At last follow-up, infection-free survival was at 26.79% in Candida albicans versus 72.00% in non-albicans PJI (p = 0.046). Conclusions: In this study, we found infection-free survival rates to be significantly decreased in patients with albicans compared to non-albicans Candida PJI. While age and affected joint might play a confounding role, we speculate the causative pathogen to play a decisive role in disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Several studies describe risk factors for primary periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and general treatment outcome factors like microbe spectrum or patient-specific risk factors. However, these general and patient dependent findings cannot solely explain all cases of infection persistence after a prior septic revision. This study analyzes possible specific and patient independent reasons for failure after revisions for PJI in knee and hip arthroplasty. Methods: In a prospective analysis all patients were included that were treated: (1) at our department, (2) with a two-stage exchange, (3) between 2013 and 2017, (4) due to an infection persistence after a previous revision for PJI. Possible reasons for infection persistence were identified using a checklist algorithm, based on international guidelines. Results: 70 patients with infection persistence could be included (44 knee joints, 26 hip joints). The average age was 71 years, the CCI (Charlson Comorbidity Index) 2.8 and the ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score 2.7. In 85% at least one possible reason for patient independent infection persistence could be identified analyzing the previous infection therapy: (1) 50% inadequate therapy concept (n = 35), (2) 33% inadequate surgical debridement (n = 23), (3) 30% inadequate antimicrobial therapy (n = 21), (4) 13% missed external bacterial primary focus (n = 9). After the individual failure analysis, all 70 patients were treated with a two-stage exchange in our department and in 94.9% infection freedom could be achieved (34.3 ± 10.9 months follow-up). Conclusions: In the majority of failed revisions with subsequent infection persistence at least one possible patient independent failure cause could be identified. The entire previous therapy should be critically reviewed following failing revisions to optimize the outcome of septic revisions. By using a checklist algorithm, high rates of infection freedom were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment of enterococcal periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) is challenging due to non-standardized management strategies and lack of biofilm-active antibiotics. The optimal surgical and antimicrobial therapy are unknown. Therefore, we evaluated characteristics and outcome of enterococcal PJI.Methods: Consecutive patients with enterococcal PJI from two specialized orthopedic institutions were retrospectively analyzed. Both institutions are following the same diagnostic and treatment concepts. The probability of relapse-free survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and compared by log-rank test. Treatment success was defined by absence of relapse or persistence of PJI due to enterococci or death related to enterococcal PJI. Clinical success was defined by the infection-free status, no subsequent surgical intervention for persistent or perioperative infection after re-implantation and no PJI-related death within 3 months.Results: Included were 75 enterococcal PJI episodes, involving 41 hip, 30 knee, 2 elbow and 2 shoulder prostheses. PJI occurred postoperatively in 61 episodes (81%), hematogenously in 13 (17%) and by contiguous spread in one. E. faecalis grew in 64 episodes, E. faecium in 10 and E. casseliflavus in one episode(s). Additional microorganism(s) were isolated in 38 patients (51%). Enterococci were susceptible to vancomycin in 73 of 75 isolates (97%), to daptomycin in all 75 isolates, and to fosfomycin in 21 of 22 isolates (96%). The outcome data was available for 66 patients (88%). The treatment success after 3 years was 83.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 76.1-96.7%) and the clinical success was 67.5% (95% CI; 57.3-80.8%). In 11 patients (17%), a new PJI episode caused by a different pathogen occurred. All failures occurred within 3 years after surgery.Conclusion: About half of enterococcal PJI were polymicrobial infections. The treatment success was high (84%). All treatment failures occurred within the first 3 years after revision surgery. Interestingly, 17% of patients experienced a new PJI caused by another pathogen at a later stage.Trial Registration: The study was retrospectively registered with the public clinical trial identification NCT0253022 at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov on 15 July 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be a powerful parameter for detecting acute postoperative spinal implant infections (PSII) with a high sensitivity and specificity. However, little data are available on the performance of CRP in the diagnosis of delayed PSII. The aim of the current study was therefore to establish cutoff values for diagnosing delayed infection based on serum CRP.Methods: All patients who underwent a revision surgery after instrumented spinal fusion from January 2013 through January 2016 were included. Demographic data, laboratory values, type of infection (including microbiological and pathological results), comorbidities and clinical manifestation were collected. The European Bone and Joint Infection Society criteria, proposed to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection, were used to diagnose PSII.Results: A total of 257 patients were included. PSII was diagnosed in 61 patients, representing 24% of the study cohort. There was a significant difference in serum CRP levels between septic and aseptic cohorts (19.3 vs. 4.8 mg/l, p < 0.001). However, 26 patients (43%) from the PSII group had a normal (< 5 mg/l) serum CRP level prior to revision surgery. According to the ROC curve, a serum CRP threshold of 4.05 mg/l had a sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 68%. The most common isolated microorganism was Propionibacterium spp. followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci.Conclusion: Serum CRP showed low sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of delayed PSII, even after applying cutoffs optimized by using receiver operating curve analysis, because of the high incidence of low-virulent pathogens. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In total joint replacement, culturing of the sonication fluid of removed implants has proven to be more sensitive than conventional periprosthetic tissue culture for the microbiological diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection. However, its role in postoperative spinal implant infection (PSII) is not well investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the validity of sonication in detecting infection following instrumented spine surgery.Methods: In this prospective controlled consecutive cohort study, patients undergoing spinal revision between September 2016 and March 2018 were analyzed. In all patients sonication of removed spinal implants and at least one peri-implant tissue culture were performed. Demographic data, including age, gender, clinical manifestation, comorbidities, laboratory values (CRP and blood leukocytes), were recorded. Microorganisms causing PSII were documented. Sensitivity and specificity of sonication and peri-implant tissue culture were evaluated.Results: A total of 118 patients were included. PSII was diagnosed in 35 patients, representing 29.6% of the study cohort. Sensitivities of tissue and sonication fluid culture were 65.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 48.6-80.0) and 94.3% (95% CI 85.7-100) (p value = 0.002) and specificities 96.4% (95% CI 91.6-100) and 98.8% (95% CI 96.4-100), respectively. The most common microorganisms found in PSII were coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Propionibacterium acnes. Eleven PSIIs were detected only by sonicate fluid culture.Conclusions: Culture of samples obtained by spinal implant sonication was more sensitive than conventional peri-implant tissue culture for the microbiological diagnosis of PSII. Therefore, sonication should be used as a routine tool in the diagnostic workup of PSII. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the shoulder, who fail to undergo reimplantation in an attempted two-stage exchange seem to be neglected in the current literature. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical course of patients after the first stage in the process of an attempted two-stage exchange for shoulder PJI. Methods: After a retrospective review of our institutional database between 2008 and 2018, 49 patients, who were treated with an intended two-stage exchange for shoulder PJI, were identified. Patients' demographics, laboratory and health status parameters, along with records of clinical outcome were collected. The primary outcome measurements analyzed were infection eradication, successful reimplantation, and patient survival. Results: Reimplantation was completed in only 35 (71%) of 49 cases and eradication of infection was achieved in 85.7% of patients with successful reimplantation after a mean follow-up duration of 5.1 years (1.1 to 10.2 years). Reasons for failure to reimplant were premature death in 36%, high general morbidity in 29%, satisfaction with the current status in 21%, or severe infection with poor bone and soft tissues in 14% of the patients. Of the 14 cases without reimplantation, eradication rate of infection was 57% after a mean follow-up of 5 years (2.6 to 11 years). The overall mortality rate of the entire cohort was 25% at the latest follow-up and 10% within ninety days after implant removal. Patients who deceased or did not undergo reimplantation during the follow-up were significantly older and had a significantly higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Conclusions: While the two-stage exchange arthroplasty can lead to high rates of infection eradication, a considerable subset of patients never undergoes the second stage for a variety of reasons. Shoulder PJI and its treatment are associated with a high risk of mortality, especially in patients with older age and higher CCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]