THE OPTIMAL SAMPLING STRATEGY IN PATIENTS SUSPECTED OF PROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTION: A MICROBIOLOGIST'S POINT OF VIEW

Optimal sampling for culture-based or molecular diagnosis remains highly contested for patients suspected of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Most existing studies have a retrospective design without a standardized sampling strategy. Therefore, the results are difficult to translate into guidelines. We have conducted a 2-year prospective study with a sampling strategy adaptable to the specific procedure in patients with either hip or knee alloplasty. Thus, comparisons of results obtained with different specimen types and diagnostic methods are possible.The study enrolled patients with a painful hip or knee alloplasty. The sampling strategy for microbiological diagnosis included multiple specimens of each type (joint fluid, tissue biopsies, bone biopsies, and swabs taken from the prosthesis in situ), and prosthetic components (if removed). Prepacked boxes with containers and accessories for sampling, transport and storage were provided. Microbial culture and bacterial 16S rDNA screening were carried out f...