Characterisation of aerobic bacteria isolated from orthopaedic implant-associated infections

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Orthopaedic implant-associated infections (OAIs) are challenging to treat, as it may result in high chances of implant removal and causes huge financial burden due to absenteeism, disability, hospital stay and cost of treatment. Early detection of the infection and prompt antimicrobial therapy is very important. The study was undertaken to identify the pathogens causing OAI and their antibiogram and to formulate the antibiotic policy accordingly. METHODOLOGY: It was a prospective observational study carried out for a period of one year (January 2016 to December 2016) in the Department of Microbiology and Orthopaedics in a tertiary care centre. All patients with suspected OAI, who were admitted to the hospital, were included in the study. The pus or wound swab from these patients was tested for the pathogens and their antibiogram. RESULTS: A total of 1628 implant surgeries were conducted during the study period, of which 136 patients suspected to have OAI, amongst them 81 (59.55%) had bacterial growth. The Orthopaedic implant infection rate was 4.9%. The most common pathogen isolated was Staphylococcus aureus and of which 30.43% were methicillin-resistant strains. The most common site affected was tibia (41.97%). The majority (27.16%) of the patients had developed implant-associated infection within six months of the implant surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The OAIs it greatly affects the quality of life of the individual. Early suspicion, prompt investigation and timely treatment can reduce the morbidity caused by the OAI. Since the pathogens causing OAI can vary in hospital, the local bacterial profile of the pathogen causing OAI and their antibiogram needs to be monitored to treat the patients effectively for better outcome.