Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Novel Diagnostics in Revision Arthroplasty: Implant Sonication and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
10:35

Novel Diagnostics in Revision Arthroplasty: Implant Sonication and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Published on: December 3, 2017

11.4K

An update about molecular biology techniques to detect orthopaedic implant-related infections

Jaime Esteban1, Enrique Gómez-Barrena2

  • 1Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz-IIS-Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

EFORT Open Reviews
|April 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Molecular diagnostics are revolutionizing prosthetic joint infection (PJI) detection. Advanced techniques like multiplex PCR and metagenomics offer faster, more accurate identification of causative microorganisms to guide PJI treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

  • Accurate etiological diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is crucial for effective treatment, despite varied diagnostic criteria.
  • Current microbiological diagnostic methods for PJI can be time-consuming and may lack optimal sensitivity or specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the advancements in molecular biology techniques for diagnosing prosthetic joint infections (PJI).
  • To highlight the potential of novel molecular methods to improve etiological diagnosis and guide PJI treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current and emerging molecular diagnostic techniques for PJI, including multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation metagenomics.
  • Analysis of reported performance metrics (sensitivity, specificity) of molecular methods in clinical settings.

Main Results:

  • Multiplex PCR techniques demonstrate high specificity (near 100%) and good sensitivity (70-80%) for PJI diagnosis.
  • Next-generation metagenomics shows promise for further enhancing sensitivity while maintaining high specificity.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular biology-based diagnostics are rapidly evolving and moving from experimental settings to clinical application for PJI.
  • These advanced techniques are poised to significantly transform microbiological diagnosis for prosthetic joint infections within the next five years.
Keywords:
microbiological culturesmolecular diagnosis of PJIprosthetic joint infection (PJI)

More Related Videos

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue07:48

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue

Published on: September 30, 2022

1.5K
Combined In vivo Optical and µCT Imaging to Monitor Infection, Inflammation, and Bone Anatomy in an Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Mice18:40

Combined In vivo Optical and µCT Imaging to Monitor Infection, Inflammation, and Bone Anatomy in an Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Mice

Published on: October 16, 2014

17.5K

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Signaling01:30

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
38.2K
Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
340
Methods of Classification and Identification01:28

Methods of Classification and Identification

Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...
573
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy01:20

Applications of Molecular Taxonomy

Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...
273