Biomarkers and infections in orthopedics: our experience and literature review

The issue of infections in Orthopedics is rising in importance day by day. In management of Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI), classical biomarkers involved in diagnosis process are C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Serum Rate (ESR). Although wide use in PJI diagnosis process, CRP and ESR are not sensitive and specific enough for a correct diagnosis. Orthopedic surgeons, Microbiologists and Infectivologists are very interested in research about new (or rediscovered) biomarkers that can help in the diagnosis of orthopedics infections. In our Institution, a rigid protocol is applied to face suspicious PJI, implemented with LE testing routinely. In our retrospective observational study, we has compared reliability of LE test in relation ICM criteria and the comparison with other diagnostic tests or exams. Our results show that LE is a reliable method especially for intra-operatively PJI diagnosis.