EVALUATION OF A NEWLY AVAILABLE MULTIPLEX PCR SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING PERIPROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTION

In this study we evaluated the performance of the newly available ITI-Cartridge (UniveroTM i60 implant and tissue infection (ITI) multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) System, Curetis®, Holzgerlingen, Germany) in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).30 patients that received an operative revision in the orthopaedic department of the University Hospital Bonn due to suspected PJI or aseptic loosening of a painful total hip or knee arthroplasty between Januar 2014 and November 2014 were included in this retrospective study.The microbiological workup included a minimum of three periprosthetic tissue specimens, joint aspirate and the explanted foreign body for sonication were investigated. Additionally, histopathological examination of the periprosthetic membranes, cell counting of the joint aspirate and multiplex PCR diagnostic of the sonication fluid cultures and of the joint aspirate were performed.All patients were summarized in two diffrent groups (PJI vs. free of infection) according to th...