Treatment Of Septic Arthritis Research Articles

Gelatin-based nanoparticles and antibiotics: a new therapeutic approach for osteomyelitis?

The result of infection of bone with microorganisms is osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for most of its cases (more than 50%). Since MRSA is resistant to many treatments, it is accompanied by high costs and numerous complications, necessitating more effective new treatments. Recently, development of gelatin nanoparticles have attracted the attention of scientists of biomedicine to itself, and have been utilized as a delivery vehicle for antibiotics because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. Promising results have been reported with gelatin modification and combinations with chemical agents. Although these findings have been suggested that gelatin has the potential to be a suitable option for continuous release of antibiotics in osteomyelitis and septic arthritis treatment, they still have not become routine in clinical practices. The most deliver antibiotic using gelatin-derived composites is vancomycin which is showed the good efficacy. To date, a number of pre-clinical studies evaluated the utility of gelatin-based composites in the management of osteomyelitis. Gelatin-based composites were found to have satisfactory performance in the control of infection, as well as the promotion of bone defect repair in chronic osteomyelitis models. This review summarized the available evidence which provides a new insight into gelatin-derived composites with controlled release of antibiotics.

Carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing micelles enable efficient treatment of MRSA-induced septic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Septic arthritis (SA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are prevalent and challenging joint diseases that often lead to severe consequences, including sepsis, disability, and life-threatening conditions. However, their distinct etiologies and pathological mechanisms require different treatment strategies. We herein report a single formulation of carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing micelles capable of efficient treatment of both SA and RA diseases. Our findings demonstrate that the local release of CO under red light stimulus effectively eradicates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogens while safeguarding MRSA-infected chondrocytes and osteogenic cells. Furthermore, CO delivery orchestrates macrophage polarization homeostasis via the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, manifesting unique anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastic effects. These remarkable properties empower CO-releasing micelles to emerge as a singular treatment approach, addressing both SA and RA in murine models without the need for conventional medications such as antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Predictive value of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in the treatment of septic arthritis in young children: A retrospective study

IntroductionSeptic arthritis (SA) can cause lifelong disability in children due to joint dysfunction but there is controversy regarding the timing of surgery in SA. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) has emerged as a novel marker of inflammation and has been extensively used in predicting inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and systemic inflammation. Despite advancements, few studies have evaluated the role of CAR in SA. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate whether CAR could serve as predictive indicators for determining whether patients under four years old with SA should be managed conservatively or require surgical intervention, and to analyze its predictive accuracy. HypothesisAn increase in CAR values among patients under four years old with SA indicates the requirement of surgical intervention. Materials and methodsThis retrospective study enrolled SA children under four years old and divided them into two groups, the surgery and conservative groups. The clinical data between the two groups were compared and multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the independent predictors of SA requiring surgery. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to determine the predictive ability of CAR in SA requiring surgery. ResultsA total of 82 SA children were included, with 42 children (51.3%) in the surgery group and 40 children (48.7%) in the conservative group. CAR ≥ 1.165 [OR = 12.641, 95% CI (4.264 – 37.479),p < 0.001] was an independent predictive indicator for surgery in SA children under four years old, with a predicted sensitivity of 0.714, specificity of 0.850, and AUC of 0.793 [95% (0.694-0.893)] indicating good predictive accuracy. DiscussionCAR to be an independent predictive indicator patients under four years old with SA. And a CAR value ≥ 1.165 upon admission in these patients suggests the necessity for surgical intervention. Level of evidenceIV, Retrospective study.

TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY FOLLOWING SEPTIC ARTHRITIS: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OVER 20 YEARS

ObjectivesPost-infective arthritis is an important sequalae of septic arthritis(SA). While total knee arthroplasty(TKA) is an effective treatment for said arthritis, previous SA brings challenges for treatment planning. Using prospectively collected data from a cohort of patients with knee SA, this study aims to determine the proportion of patients requiring eventual TKA, and risk factors of developing prosthetic joint Infection(PJI).MethodsAll cases of 1st episode knee SA from 01/01/2000 to 31/12/2020 were identified in the Auckland region. Patient records and NZJR records of all cases were searched to identify subsequent TKA. PJI following arthroplasty was identified using ICM criteria.Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for developing PJI.Results854 cases of native SA were identified. Of these, 71 (8.3%) progressed to TKA. Average time from completion of SA treatment to TKA was 3.8 years (SD 3.4). At an average follow-up of 7.8 years(1–19.6), 11(15.5%) developed PJI and required reoperation in the form of; DAIR (n =5), revision (n= 6). A further 4 were readmitted for superficial infections. Five-year and ten-year implant survival was 90.0% and 87.1%, significantly lower than average survival of TKA in the NZJR (97.3% at 5 years and 95.7% at 10). Average time between completion of SA treatment and TKA was 2.1 years in those developing PJI, vs 4.1 years in those who did not(p = 0.0019). 4.8% of cases developed PJI when TKA was performed &gt;5 years after SA, compared with 20% risk of PJI within 5 years(p=0.16). Multivariate analysis showed no significant impact of pre-defined medical risk factors or demographic on outcomes.ConclusionA significant percentage of patients required TKA following knee SA. Time lapsed from SA treatment completion to TKA is an important risk factor for developing PJI.

Review of Intra-Articular Use of Antibiotics and Antiseptic Irrigation and Their Systematic Association with Chondrolysis.

Intra-articular antibiotics have been proposed as a treatment for septic arthritis to allow for high local concentrations without subjecting a patient to the toxicity/side effects of systemic therapy. However, there is concern for chondrotoxicity with intra-articular use of these solutions in high concentrations. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the intra-articular use of antibiotics and antiseptic solutions, and to determine their association with chondrolysis following in vitro or in vivo administration. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines through PubMed, Clinical Key, OVID, and Google Scholar. Studies in English were included if they evaluated for chondrotoxicity following antibiotic exposure. The initial search resulted in 228 studies, with 36 studies meeting criteria. These 36 studies included manuscripts that studied 24 different agents. Overall, 7 of the 24 (29%) agents were non-chondrotoxic: minocycline, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, teicoplanin, pefloxacin, linezolid, polymyxin-bacitracin. Eight (33%) agents had inconsistent results: doxycycline, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, chlorhexidine, and povidone iodine. Chondrotoxicity was evident with 9 (38%) agents, all of which were also dose-dependent chondrotoxic based on reported estimated half maximal inhibitory concentrations (est. IC50): amikacin (est. IC50 = 0.31-2.74 mg/mL), neomycin (0.82), cefazolin (1.67-3.95), ceftazidime (3.16-3.59), ampicillin-sulbactam (8.64 - >25), penicillin (11.61), amoxicillin (14.01), imipenem (>25), and tobramycin (>25). Additionally, chondroprotective effects of doxycycline and minocycline were reported. This systematic review identified agents that may be used in the treatment of septic arthritis. Nine agents should be avoided due to their dose-dependent chondrotoxic effects. Further studies are needed to clarify the safety of these medications for human intra-articular use.

Systematic Review of Intra-Articular Use of Antibiotics and Antiseptic Irrigation and their Association with Chondrolysis

Category: Arthroscopy; Other Introduction/Purpose: Intra-articular antibiotics have been proposed as a treatment for septic arthritis to allow for high local concentrations without subjecting a patient to systemic therapy and its associated toxicity/side effects. However, there is concern for chondrotoxicity with intra-articular use of antimicrobials and antiseptic solutions in high concentrations. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the intra-articular use of antibiotics and antiseptic solutions, determine their association with chondrolysis following in vitro or in vivo administration, and identify the dosages at which they become chondrotoxic. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines through PubMed, Clinical Key, OVID, and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they were written in the English language and evaluated for chondrotoxicity following in vitro or in vivo intra-articular exposure to an antibiotic and antiseptic solutions. All agents, study characteristics, and conclusions were extracted and summarized. Results: The initial search resulted in 228 studies, with 36 meeting full inclusion criteria. Overall, chondrotoxicity was not associated with 7 out of 24 (29%) included agents: minocycline, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, teicoplanin, pefloxacin, linezolid, polymyxin-bacitracin. Inconsistent results were noted with 8 (33%) agents: doxycycline, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, chlorhexidine, and povidone iodine. Chondrotoxicity was evident with 9 (38%) agents, all of which were also dose-dependently chondrotoxic based on reported estimated half maximal inhibitory concentrations (est.IC50): amikacin (est. IC50 = 0.31-2.74 mg/mL), neomycin (0.82 mg/mL), cefazolin (1.67-3.95 mg/mL), ceftazidime (3.16-3.59 mg/mL), ampicillin- sulbactam (8.64 - &gt;25 mg/mL), penicillin (11.61 mg/mL), amoxicillin (14.01 mg/mL), imipenem (&gt;25 mg/mL), and tobramycin (&gt;25 mg/mL). Additionally, certain studies reported chondroprotective effects of doxycycline and minocycline. Conclusion: This systematic review identified antimicrobial and antiseptic agents that may be used in the treatment of septic arthritis. The following agents should be avoided due to their dose-dependent chondrotoxic effects: amikacin, neomycin, cefazolin, ceftazidime, ampicillin-sulbactam, penicillin, amoxicillin, imipenem, and tobramycin. Further studies, especially in human models, are needed to clarify the safety of these medications for human intra-articular use.

Outcomes of single- vs two-stage primary joint arthroplasty for septic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Septic arthritis (SA) is an intra-articular infection caused by purulent bacteria and the only effective method is surgical intervention. Two-stage arthroplasty is considered the gold standard treatment for SA, but recent studies have found that single-stage arthroplasty can achieve the same efficacy as two-stage arthroplasty. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of single- vs two-stage arthroplasty in the treatment of (acute or quiescent) SA. The review process was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases to identify all literature on the treatment of SA using single- and two-stage arthroplasty from the date of database inception to November 10, 2022. Data on reinfection rates were expressed as odds ratios and 95% CIs. Seven retrospective studies with a total of 413 patients were included. Pooled analysis showed no difference in the reinfection rate between single- and two-stage arthroplasty. Subgroup analysis found no difference between the single- and two-stage arthroplasty groups in the incidence of purulent infection of the hip and knee. Cumulative meta-analysis showed gradual stabilization of outcomes. Based on our meta-analysis of available retrospective studies, we found no significant difference in reinfection rates between single- and two-stage arthroplasty for SA. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm our results, although our meta-analysis provides important insights into the current literature on this topic.

Septic Arthritis of the Elbow in a Premature Neonate: An Uncommon Disease in an Uncommon Location.

Septic arthritis (SA) is an infrequent diagnosis in the neonate. This case illustrates the presentation of SA within the elbow, an atypical location for neonatal SA. SA should be considered in any neonate with joint swelling, as symptoms are often subtle. Constitutional symptoms of infection, including fever, may not be present in the neonate. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common etiologic organism, and neonatal SA is often caused by hematogenous spread partially due to unique neonatal intraosseous anatomy. Joint aspiration can provide a definitive diagnosis and aid in targeted antimicrobial therapy. Other laboratory tests, including C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, can aid in diagnosis. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging can demonstrate joint effusion along with osteomyelitis, which is often seen concurrently with neonatal SA. There are no definitive guidelines for the treatment of neonatal SA. Conservative therapy with antimicrobials along with surgical intervention are the mainstays of treatment. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to decrease permanent joint damage. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(8):e292-e296.].

Impact of guidelines implementation on empiric antibiotic treatment for pediatric uncomplicated osteomyelitis and septic arthritis over a ten-year period: Results of the ELECTRIC study (ostEomyeLitis and sEptiC arThritis tReatment in children).

Due to the growing evidence of the efficacy of intravenous (IV) cefazolin with an early switch to oral cefalexin in uncomplicated pediatric osteomyelitis (OM) and septic arthritis (SA) in children, we changed our guidelines for empiric antibiotic therapy in these conditions. This study aims at evaluating the impact of the guidelines' implementation in reducing broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions, duration of IV antibiotic treatment and hospital stay, treatment failure and recurrence. This is a retrospective, observational, quasi-experimental study. The four years pre-intervention were compared to the six years, ten months post-intervention (January 2012, through December 2015; January 2016, through October 31st, 2022). All patients aged 3 months to 18 years with OM or SA were evaluated for inclusion. Each population was divided into three groups: pre-intervention, post-intervention not following the guidelines, and post-intervention following the guidelines. Differences in antibiotic prescriptions such as Days of Therapy (DOT), activity spectrum and Length of Therapy (LOT), length of hospital stay (LOS), broad-spectrum antibiotics duration (bsDOT), treatment failure and relapse at six months were analyzed as outcomes. Of 87 included patients, 48 were diagnosed with OM (8 pre-intervention, 9 post-intervention not following the guidelines and 31 post-intervention following the guidelines) and 39 with SA (9 pre-intervention, 12 post-intervention not following the guidelines and 18 post-intervention following the guidelines). In OM patients, IV DOT, DOT/LOT ratio, and bsDOT were significantly lower in the guidelines group, with also the lowest proportion of patients discharged on IV treatment. Notably, significantly fewer cases required surgery in the post-intervention groups. Considering SA, LOS, IV DOT, DOT/LOT ratio, and bsDOT were significantly lower in the guidelines group. The treatment failure rate was comparable among all groups for both OM and SA. There were no relapse cases. The overall adherence was between 72 and 100%. The implementation of guidelines was effective in decreasing the extensive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and combination therapy for both OM and SA. Our results show the applicability, safety, and efficacy of a narrow-spectrum IV empirical antibiotic regimen with cefazolin, followed by oral monotherapy with first/second-generation cephalosporins, which was non-inferior to broad-spectrum regimens.

Less Than 1-Year Quiescent Period After Septic Arthritis of the Hip is Associated With High Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundApproximately 20,000 patients are diagnosed with septic arthritis annually, with 15% specifically affecting the hip joint. These cases exacerbate arthritic changes, often warranting a total hip arthroplasty (THA). Given their prior history of infection, these patients are predisposed to subsequent periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Multiple studies suggest delaying THA after a native septic hip, but no study utilizing a large cohort examined the specific timing to mitigate post-THA PJI risk within a short (<1 year) quiescent period after septic arthritis. We sought to compare patients who were diagnosed with septic hip arthritis at time intervals (0-6, or 6-12 months) prior to an ipsilateral primary THA to a cohort of THA patients who never had a septic hip history. Specifically, we assessed: from 90 days to 2 years (1) revisions due to PJI and (2) associated risk factors for PJI at 2-years. MethodsA national, all-payer database was queried to identify all patients who underwent a primary THA between 2010 and 2021 and patients who had prior ipsilateral septic hip arthritis were characterized using International Classification of Disease and Current Practice Terminology codes (n = 1,052). A randomized sample of patients who never had a history of septic arthritis prior to undergoing THA was used as a nonseptic group comparison (n = 5,000). The incidences of PJI at 90 days through two years were then identified and compared using bivariate chi-square analyses. Risk factors for post-THA PJIs were then analyzed using multivariate regression models. ResultsThe septic arthritis cohorts were more likely to require revisions due to PJIs, as compared to the non-septic group at 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years (all P < .0001). Patients who were diagnosed with septic arthritis between 0 and 6 months prior to THA were at greater PJI risk at both one-year (odds ratio (OR) of 43.1 versus 29.6, P < .0001) and two years (OR of 38.3 versus 22.1, P < .0001) compared to patients who had diagnoses between 6 and 12 months. Diabetes mellitus, obesity, and tobacco use were associated risk factors for PJIs at 2 years in the septic hip cohort in comparison to the cohort without a septic hip history. ConclusionLess than a 1-year quiescent period after septic arthritis is associated with a 38 times increased risk and a 22 times risk for post-THA PJI, at 0 and 6 months and 6 and 12 months, respectively. Though patients who undergo THA greater than 6 months after their septic arthritis treatment have a decreased risk compared to those between 0 and 6 months the risks are still high. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the increased risks of PJIs when considering performing a THA in patients with a history of septic arthritis.

The Speed of Pathogen Eradication May Prevent the Early Development of Cartilage Destruction: Case Series of Long-Term Follow-Up of Septic Arthritis (SA) after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACL-R) and Literature Review

Late diagnosis and treatment of septic arthritis (SA) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) can lead to graft and cartilage damage. Pathogen eradication time may be the key to preventing the development of osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the proposed management of SA after ACL-R on knee function, pathogen eradication time and knee cartilage status on MRI. Five patients with acute knee SA after ACL-R were included in this study. All five patients underwent knee arthroscopic debridement with lavage and flow drainage with physiological saline with vancomycin. All five patients underwent clinical assessment, isokinetic examinations and MRI quantitative cartilage thickness evaluation at two follow-up points: at a mean of 10.9 years and at a mean of 18.1 years. Slight statistical differences in cartilage thickness on the medial femoral condyle were observed between the SA and control groups (2.077 mm and 2.237 mm, respectively; p = 0.021). There were no significant differences in cartilage thickness between the first and last follow-ups in the SA knees. The proposed treatment could lead to a faster eradication of infection, and thus protect against the early development of osteoarthritis. The quadriceps peak torque deficit may persist afterwards at a mean of 18.1 years follow-up.

Arthroplasty after septic arthritis of the native hip and knee: retrospective analysis of 49 joints.

Background: Arthroplasty after septic arthritis (SA) treatment raises diagnostic and therapeutic questions. The main objective was to evaluate infection-free survival of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) post-SA. Other objectives were to describe the population's characteristics, surgical strategies, results of preoperative examinations and cultures of intraoperative samples taken at implantation, and postoperative antibiotic therapy. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational, monocenter study, from January 2005 to May 2019, including all patients undergoing TKA or THA with prior or ongoing SA in the same joint. Infection–free survival was analyzed and reported. Results: Forty-seven patients, 29 men, 49 joints operated on (30 knees, 19 hips), were included. Median SA-to-arthroplasty interval was 32 [1–216] weeks. It was years for 43 joints and months for 19 joints. Six patients underwent arthroplasty while still on SA treatment. One-stage arthroplasty was done for 43 joints and two-stage arthroplasty for 6 joints. Eight (16 %) cultures of intraoperative specimens were positive. Median durations of postoperative antibiotic therapy were 10 d for sterile cultures and 82 d for those that were positive. At 2 years, infection-free survival rate was 95.9 % (). After a median follow-up of 47 [18–142] months, no SA relapse was observed, but five patients developed new periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) with a different microorganism. Conclusion: Arthroplasty may be a post-SA option, even within a short period of time. One-stage arthroplasty can be done if synovectomy is thorough, intraoperative samples are taken and antibiotics are administered until those culture results become available. We observed no SA relapse, but new PJIs occurred.

Good outcome of newborn septic arthritis with holistic treatment: a case report

Introduction: Septic arthritis (SA) is a serious joint infection associated with significant morbidity that can cause permanent damage with articular cartilage destruction, osteonecrosis, and lifelong deformities. Here we present a good outcome of newborn septic arthritis with prompt treatment.&#x0D; Case Presentation: A one-month-old boy was brought with swelling of both knee joints two weeks before admission. He has a history of preterm birth and was hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because of neonatal pneumonia and sepsis. Several days after treatment, he came with swollen on both knees, both knee joint synovial liquid and sputum culture showed Klebsiella pneumoniae. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was found intra articular fluid and erosion of the epiphyseal cartilage suspect infection process. After establishing the diagnosis of SA, we initiated treatment with cloxacillin 60 mg/kgs body weight for 14 days. He underwent debridement and physiotherapist. One year after discharge, the physical examinations showed normal findings and had a normal gait.&#x0D; Conclusion: It can be concluded that prompt diagnosis and treatment of SA on the newborn will have a good outcome with no sequelae. An early diagnosis of SA can guide clinicians to initiate a standardized treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Patients return to sports and to work after successful treatment of septic arthritis following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PurposeTo determine specific return to sports (RTS) and return to work (RTW) rates of patients with septic arthritis following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to assess for factors associated with a diminished postoperative return to physical activity after successful eradication of the infection.MethodsIn this study, patients who were treated for postoperative septic arthritis of the knee following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between 2006 and 2018 were evaluated at a minimum follow-up (FU) of 2 years. Patients’ outcomes were retrospectively analyzed using standardized patient-reported outcome scores including the Lysholm score and the subjective IKDC score, as well as return to sports and return to work questionnaires to assess for the types, number, and frequency of sports performed pre- and postoperatively and to evaluate for potential occupational changes due to septic arthritis following ACLR. To assess for the signifiance of the graft at follow-up, outcomes were compared between patients with a functioning graft at FU and those without, as well as between patients with initial graft retention and those with graft removal and consecutive revision ACLR.ResultsOut of 44 patients eligible for inclusion, 38 (86%) patients at a mean age of 36.2 ± 10.3 years were enrolled in this study. At a mean follow-up of 60.3 ± 39.9 months, the Lysholm score and the subjective IKDC score reached 80.0 ± 15.1 and 78.2 ± 16.6 points, respectively. The presence of a graft at FU yielded statistically superior results only on the IKDC score (p = 0.014). There were no statistically significant differences on the Lysholm score (n.s.) or on the IKDC score (n.s.) between patients with initial graft retention and those with initial removal who had undergone revision ACLR. All of the included 38 patients were able to return to sports at a median time of 8 (6–16) months after their last surgical intervention. Among patients who performed pivoting sports prior to their injury, 23 (62.2%) returned to at least one pivoting sport postoperatively. Overall, ten patients (26.3%) returned to all their previous sports at their previous frequency. The presence of a graft at FU resulted in a significantly higher RTS rate (p = 0.010). Comparing patients with initial graft retention and those with graft removal and consecutive revision ACLR, there was no statistically significant difference concerning the RTS rate (n.s.). Thirty-one patients (83.8%) were able to return to their previous work.ConclusionSuccessful eradication of septic arthritis following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction allows for a postoperative return to sports and a return to work particularly among patients with ACL-sufficient knees. However, the patients’ expectations should be managed carefully, as overall return rates at the pre-injury frequency are relatively low.Level of evidenceIV.

P05 Blast transformation of essential thrombocythemia presenting as hip monoarthritis

P05 Blast transformation of essential thrombocythemia presenting as hip monoarthritis

Machine-learning algorithm that can improve the diagnostic accuracy of septic arthritis of the knee

PurposePrompt diagnosis and treatment of septic arthritis of the knee is crucial. Nevertheless, the quality of evidence for the diagnosis of septic arthritis is low. In this study, the authors developed a machine learning-based diagnostic algorithm for septic arthritis of the native knee using clinical data in an emergency department and validated its diagnostic accuracy.MethodsPatients (n = 326) who underwent synovial fluid analysis at the emergency department for suspected septic arthritis of the knee were enrolled. Septic arthritis was diagnosed in 164 of the patients (50.3%) using modified Newman criteria. Clinical characteristics of septic and inflammatory arthritis were compared. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) statistics was applied to evaluate the efficacy of each variable for the diagnosis of septic arthritis. The dataset was divided into independent training and test sets (comprising 80% and 20%, respectively, of the data). Supervised machine-learning techniques (random forest and eXtreme Gradient Boosting: XGBoost) were applied to develop a diagnostic model using the training dataset. The test dataset was subsequently used to validate the developed model. The ROC curves of the machine-learning model and each variable were compared.ResultsSynovial white blood cell (WBC) count was significantly higher in septic arthritis than in inflammatory arthritis in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.001). In the ROC comparison analysis, synovial WBC count yielded a significantly higher AUC than all other single variables (P = 0.002). The diagnostic model using the XGBoost algorithm yielded a higher AUC (0.831, 95% confidence interval 0.751–0.923) than synovial WBC count (0.740, 95% confidence interval 0.684–0.791; P = 0.033). The developed algorithm was deployed as a free access web-based application (www.septicknee.com).ConclusionThe diagnosis of septic arthritis of the knee might be improved using a machine learning-based prediction model.Level of evidenceDiagnostic study Level III (Case–control study).

Primary Septic Arthritis Among Children 6 to 48 Months of Age: Implications for PCR Acquisition and Empiric Antimicrobial Selection.

Primary septic arthritis requires unique evaluation and treatment considerations for children in the 6- to 48-month age range because of the spectrum of identified pathogens and high rate of negative cultures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate primary septic arthritis in this age group in order to differentiate children with infection caused by Kingella kingae from those with other confirmed pathogens and those with no identified pathogen. Preschool children who underwent multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for septic arthritis between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively studied. Three cohorts were established for comparison of clinical and laboratory features of primary septic arthritis: (1) confirmed K. kingae, (2) confirmed other pathogen, and (3) presumed (without identified pathogen). Among 139 children with septic arthritis, 40 (29%) were confirmed K. kingae, 29 (21%) other pathogen, and 70 (50%) presumed. Children with Kingella and those with presumed septic arthritis had significantly lower initial C-reactive protein (4.8 and 4.5 vs. 9.3 mg/dL) and fewer febrile hospital days (0.2 and 0.4 vs. 1.3 d) than children with other confirmed pathogens. Children with other pathogens had higher rates of bacteremia (38% vs. 0%) and positive joint fluid cultures (86% vs. 15%) than that of children with Kingella. The rate of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) acquisition was 38 of 40 (95.0%) Kingella cases, 18 of 29 (62.1%) other pathogen cases, and 33 of 70 (47.1%) presumed cases. K. kingae was the most commonly identified pathogen among 6-month to 4-year-old children. The Kingella and other identified pathogens in this study serve to guide empiric antimicrobial recommendations for this age range. Because of similarities between children with septic arthritis because of K. kingae and those with no identified pathogen, it is likely that an unrecognized burden of Kingella resides in culture negative cases, particularly if no PCR is sent. Systematic evaluation, including PCR acquisition, and a high index of suspicion for K. kingae are recommended to thoroughly evaluate septic arthritis in preschool children. Level III-Retrospective cohort comparison.

Infection control and outcome of staged reverse shoulder arthroplasty for the management of shoulder infections.

BackgroundThe treatment of septic arthritis, caused by either hematogenous seeding, injections, or surgery, can be challenging. Staged reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with temporary implantation of an antibiotic-loaded spacer is widely accepted but still discussed controversially. This study investigated the shoulder-specific bacterial spectrum, infection control rate, functional outcome, and infection-free survival rate after staged RSA in the mid- to long-term follow-up. It was hypothesized that staged RSA would show a high infection-free survival rate.MethodsA total of 39 patients treated with staged RSA for primary septic arthritis (n = 8), secondary infection (n = 8), or periprosthetic infection (n = 23) were retrospectively included. The infection control rate was calculated based on cultures taken intraoperatively at spacer removal and RSA implantation. Infection-free survival was defined as no revision due to infection. The minimum follow-up period for functional outcome assessment was 2 years (n = 14; mean, 76 months; range, 31-128 months).ResultsCutibacterium (26%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (23%) were the predominant pathogens. The infection control rate was 90%. The cumulative infection-free survival rate was 91% after 128 months. Follow-up examinations showed a mean Constant score of 48 (range, 7-85), a mean QuickDASH (short version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) score of 40.0 (range, 11.4-93.3), and a mean pain score of 1.6 (range, 0-7).ConclusionStaged RSA implantation was confirmed to be a reliable treatment option for primary, secondary, and periprosthetic infections of the shoulder. The infection control rate and infection-free survival rate are satisfactory. However, patients and surgeons must be aware of functional impairment even after successful treatment of infections.

The Impact of Resident Involvement on Postoperative Complications After Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Purpose:Shoulder arthroscopy is the second most frequently performed procedure by orthopaedic surgeons taking the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery part II examination. However, the impact of resident involvement on outcomes after shoulder arthroscopy is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether resident involvement in shoulder arthroscopic procedures affects postoperative complication rates and surgical time using propensity score-matched cohorts.Methods:The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was queried to identify patients who underwent common shoulder arthroscopic procedures between 2006 and 2012. Cases without information on resident involvement, treatment of septic arthritis or osteomyelitis of the shoulder, or concomitant open or miniopen procedures were excluded from the study. A 1:1 propensity score match was used based on demographic and comorbidity factors to match cases with resident involvement to nonresident cases. Patient demographics, comorbidities, surgical time, length of hospital stay, and 30-day postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:Overall, 15,857 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy were identified. After propensity score matching, 3474 cases (50% with resident involvement) were included. Appropriate matching was verified with no difference in demographic or health characteristics. No significant differences in the overall rate of 30-day complications was noted in resident-involved versus nonresident group (P = 0.576). No significant difference was observed in postoperative surgical or medical complications. Resident involvement was significantly longer surgical time (75.9 ± 35.9 versus 75.1 ± 40.5 minutes, P = 0.03) when compared with cases performed without a resident.Conclusions:Resident involvement in shoulder arthroscopy is not associated with increased risk for medical or surgical 30-day postoperative complications. Resident participation in shoulder arthroscopy cases did increase surgical time; however, this finding is likely clinically insignificant.

Can predictors of Pediatric Septic Hip be applied to the Knee

Purpose: The early diagnosis and treatment of septic arthritis in pediatric patients are paramount to the prevention of long-term sequela. While much of the literature has focused on markers of the hip, little is known of the application of these to the knee. The purpose of this study is to investigate if the Kocher criteria can be used for screening children suspicious to have septic arthritis of the knee. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of male and …