Diagnosis of Prosthetic Joint Infection: Shake, Rattle, and Roll

A combined diagnostic method of vortexing and sonication was more sensitive than vortexing alone when a high cutoff of >50 colony-forming units per milliliter was used.

For the microbiologic diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI), some laboratories use a multistep procedure that includes both vortexing and sonication. However, other labs do not have equipment for sonication or employees trained in that method.

To compare how well PJI is diagnosed by vortexing alone versus vortexing plus sonication, investigators prospectively studied 135 patients who were undergoing prosthetic joint removal for any reason at either of two hospitals in Spain. PJI defined by accepted clinical and laboratory criteria was identified in 35 patients; the other 100 patients had aseptic failure, defined as prosthetic failure without evidence of PJI.

The sensitivity for securing a microbiologic diagnosis of PJI at a high cutof…

Reviewing Author

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)