What Is the Role of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sonication in Periprosthetic Joint Infections?

Nanoparticle ultrasonication outperforms conventional irrigation solutions in eradicating Staphylococcus aureus biofilm from titanium surfaces: an in vitro study

PURPOSE

Bacterial biofilms create a challenge in the treatment of prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and failure to eradicate biofilms is often implicated in the high rates of recurrence. In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of a novel nanoparticle ultrasonication technology on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm eradication compared to commonly used orthopedic irrigation solutions.

METHODS

Twenty-four sterile, titanium alloy discs were inoculated with a standardized concentration of methicillin-resistant S. aureus and cultured for seven days to allow for biofilm formation. Discs were then treated with either ultrasonicated nanoparticle therapy or irrigation with chlorhexidine gluconate, povidone-iodine or normal saline. The remaining bacteria on each surface was subsequently plated for colony-forming units of S. aureus. Bacterial eradication was reported as a decrease in CFUs relative to the control group. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare between groups.

RESULTS

Treatment with ultrasonicated nanoparticles resulted in a significant mean decrease in CFUs of 99.3% compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Irrigation with povidone-iodine also resulted in a significant 77.5% reduction in CFUs compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Comparisons between ultrasonicated nanoparticles and povidone-iodine demonstrated a significantly higher reduction in bacterial CFUs in the nanoparticle group (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonicated nanoparticle were superior to commonly used bactericidal irrigation solutions in the eradication of S. aureus from a titanium surface. Future clinical studies are warranted to evaluate this ultrsonication technology in the treatment of PJI.

Physical Approaches to Prevent and Treat Bacterial Biofilm

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) presents several clinical challenges. This is in large part due to the formation of biofilm which can make infection eradication exceedingly difficult. Following an extensive literature search, this review surveys a variety of non-pharmacological methods of preventing and/or treating biofilm within the body and how they could be utilized in the treatment of PJI. Special attention has been paid to physical strategies such as heat, light, sound, and electromagnetic energy, and their uses in biofilm treatment. Though these methods are still under study, they offer a potential means to reduce the morbidity and financial burden related to multiple stage revisions and prolonged systemic antibiotic courses that make up the current gold standard in PJI treatment. Given that these options are still in the early stages of development and offer their own strengths and weaknesses, this review offers an assessment of each method, the progress made on each, and allows for comparison of methods with discussion of future challenges to their implementation in a clinical setting.

Advances in the Sensing and Treatment of Wound Biofilms

Wound biofilms represent a particularly challenging problem in modern medicine. They are increasingly antibiotic resistant and can prevent the healing of chronic wounds. However, current treatment and diagnostic options are hampered by the complexity of the biofilm environment. In this review, we present new chemical avenues in biofilm sensors and new materials to treat wound biofilms, offering promise for better detection, chemical specificity, and biocompatibility. We briefly discuss existing methods for biofilm detection and focus on novel, sensor-based approaches that show promise for early, accurate detection of biofilm formation on wound sites and that can be translated to point-of-care settings. We then discuss technologies inspired by new materials for efficient biofilm eradication. We focus on ultrasound-induced microbubbles and nanomaterials that can both penetrate the biofilm and simultaneously carry active antimicrobials and discuss the benefits of those approaches in comparison to conventional methods.

Advances in the Sensing and Treatment of Wound Biofilms

Wound biofilms represent a particularly challenging problem in modern medicine. They are increasingly antibiotic resistant and can prevent the healing of chronic wounds. However, current treatment and diagnostic options are hampered by the complexity of the biofilm environment. In this review, we present new chemical avenues in biofilm sensors and new materials to treat wound biofilms, offering promise for better detection, chemical specificity, and biocompatibility. We briefly discuss existing methods for biofilm detection and focus on novel, sensor-based approaches that show promise for early, accurate detection of biofilm formation on wound sites and that can be translated to point-of-care settings. We then discuss technologies inspired by new materials for efficient biofilm eradication. We focus on ultrasound-induced microbubbles and nanomaterials that can both penetrate the biofilm and simultaneously carry active antimicrobials and discuss the benefits of those approaches in comparison to conventional methods.

Biomaterials and technologies in the management of periprosthetic infection after total hip arthroplasty: An updated review

Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered one of the most efficacious procedures for managing various hip conditions, failures due to different mechanisms are still being reported. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the devastating causes of failure and revision of THA. PJI carries a burden on the patient, the surgeon, and the health-care system. The diagnosis and management of PJIs carry many morbidities and increased treatment costs. The development of PJI is multifactorial, including issues related to the patient’s general condition, the surgeon’s efficiency, surgical technique, and the implants used. Recent advances in the area of diagnosis and predicting PJI as well as introducing new technologies and biomaterials update for the prevention and treatment of PJI. Local implant coatings, advancement in the bearing surfaces technologies, and new technologies such as immunotherapy and bacteriophage therapy were introduced and suggested as contemporary PJI eradication solutions. In this review, we aimed at discussing some of the newly introduced materials and technologies for the sake of PJI control.

Higher age, female gender, osteoarthritis and blood transfusion protect against periprosthetic joint infection in total hip or knee arthroplasties: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify the main risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasties.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted of the potential risk factors for PJI in total hip or total knee arthroplasty. Risk factors were compared and grouped according to demographics, comorbidities, behavior, infections, native joint diseases and other patient-related and procedure-related factors. Meta-analysis (random-effects models) was conducted using odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD). Risk of bias (ROBBINS-I) and strength of the evidence (GRADE) were assessed.

RESULTS

The study included 37 studies (2,470,827 patients). Older age was a protective factor (MD = - 1.18). Male gender (OR 1.34), coagulopathy (3.05), congestive heart failure (2.36), diabetes mellitus (1.80), obesity (1.61), systemic neoplasia (1.57), chronic lung disease (1.52), and hypertension (1.21) increased the risk for PJI. Behavioral risk factors comprised alcohol abuse (2.95), immunosuppressive therapy (2.81), steroid therapies (1.88), and tobacco (1.82). Infectious risk factors included surgical site infections (6.14), postoperative urinary tract infections (2.85), and prior joint infections (2.15). Rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic native joint disease, high National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system surgical patient index score, prior joint operation, American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥ 3 and obesity were also significantly associated with higher risk of PJI. Osteoarthritis and blood transfusion were protective factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The main risk factors for PJI in each category were male gender, coagulopathy, alcohol abuse, surgical site infection (highest score) and high NNIS system surgical patient index score. Protective factors were age, female gender in TKA, osteoarthritis and blood transfusion. Optimization of modifiable risk factors for PJI should be attempted in clinical practice.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Specificities of total hip and knee arthroplasty revision for infection

Hip or knee revision for infection requires careful planning of the debridement phase. Bacteriological sample management needs to be planned. Multidisciplinary decisions have to be taken as to 1- or 2-stage strategy, reconstruction technique and soft-tissue management. Surgical resection should be complete while economical. There must be no shortcomings in the technical procedure. Implant removal and surgical debridement are the keys to curing the infection, and planning is essential to optimize this phase. Bacteriological techniques are well codified. Wide-spectrum curative antibiotic therapy should be initiated immediately after intraoperative sampling and secondarily adapted to culture findings. A high-level microbiology laboratory is indispensable to good quality treatment. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is controversial, but probably contributive. Two-stage exchange has not demonstrated superiority in curing infection. A 1-stage procedure may be preferred if all prerequisites are met. In the knee, any need for flap coverage should be planned for rather than encountered intraoperatively. The principles of reconstruction are unchanged by infection, but extended resection may require a larger revision implant. The temptation to oversimplify has to be resisted, and non-escalation or indeed "de-escalation" in implant size should be sought. Bone defect management is unaffected by infection. Fixation technique is at the surgeon's discretion. Pain relief and functional results are probably less good than after exchange without infectious context. The creation of regional complex bone and joint infection centers in France (CRIOACs) constitutes a considerable advance in periprosthetic infection management, and an opinion should be systematically requested; transfer is to be considered on a case-by-case basis.