Prognosis of unexpected positive intraoperative cultures in arthroplasty revision: A large multicenter cohort

J Infect. 2021 Nov;83(5):542-549. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.09.001. Epub 2021 Sep 9.

Abstract

Background: The positive-intraoperative-cultures-type prosthetic joint infection (PIOC-PJI) is considered when surgical cultures yield microorganisms in presumed aseptic arthroplasty revisions. Herein we assess the risk factors for failure in the largest cohort of PIOC-PJI patients reported to date.

Methods: A retrospective, observational, multicenter study was performed during 2007-2017. Surgeries leading to diagnose PIOC-PJI included only one-stage procedures with either complete or partial prosthesis revision. Failure was defined as recurrence caused by the same microorganism.

Results: 203 cases were included (age 72 years, 52% females). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 125, 62%) was the main etiology, but some episodes were caused by virulent bacteria (n = 51, 25%). Prosthesis complete and partial revision was performed in 93 (46%) and 110 (54%) cases, respectively. After a median of 3.4 years, failure occurred in 17 episodes (8.4%, 95%CI 5.3-13.1). Partial revision was an independent predictor of failure (HR 3.63; 95%CI 1.03-12.8), adjusted for gram-negative bacilli (GNB) infection (HR 2.68; 95%CI 0.91-7.89) and chronic renal impairment (HR 2.40; 95%CI 0.90-6.44). Treatment with biofilm-active antibiotics (rifampin/fluoroquinolones) had a favorable impact on infections caused by staphylococci and GNB.

Conclusion: Overall prognosis of PIOC-PJI is good, but close follow-up is required in cases of partial revision and in infections caused by GNB.

Keywords: Arthritis; Biofilm; Foreign-boy infection; Infected arthroplasty; Prosthetic joint infection.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / diagnosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / drug therapy
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / epidemiology
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies