SYNOVIAL VERSUS SERUM PTX3 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF PERIPROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTION: A SINGLE-CENTRE PROSPECTIVE DIAGNOSTIC STUDY

Aim Diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is challenging given the limitations of available diagnostic tests. Recently, several studies have shown a role of the long pentraxin PTX3 as a biomarker in inflammatory diseases and infections. This single-center prospective diagnostic study evaluated the diagnostic ability of synovial fluid and serum PTX3 for the infection of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Method Consecutive patients undergoing revision surgery for painful THA or TKA were enrolled. Patients with antibiotic therapy suspended for less than 2 weeks prior to surgery and patients eligible for metal-on-metal implant revision or spacer removal and prosthesis re-implantation were excluded. Quantitative assessment of synovial fluid and serum PTX3 was performed with ELISA method. Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria were used as reference standard for diagnosis of PJI. Continuous data values were compared for statistical significance with univariat...