Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Combined In vivo Optical and µCT Imaging to Monitor Infection, Inflammation, and Bone Anatomy in an Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Mice
18:40

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

17.2K

16S rRNA sequencing reveals microbiota differences in orthopedic implants between aseptic loosening and prosthetic

Omer Faruk Cetiner1, Mehmet Hora2, Ibrahim Halil Kafadar3

  • 11Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Acta Microbiologica Et Immunologica Hungarica
|April 15, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Microbial communities differ between prosthetic joint infections (PJI) and aseptic loosening (AL) in total joint arthroplasty. This study used 16S rRNA sequencing to reveal distinct microbial profiles in PJI and AL patient implants.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Microbiology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and aseptic loosening (AL) are significant complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA).
  • The microbial landscape of prosthetic implants in these conditions remains incompletely understood.
  • Understanding periprosthetic microbiota is crucial for diagnosing and treating implant failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the microbial composition of prosthetic implants from patients with PJI versus AL.
  • To identify specific microbial signatures associated with each complication.

Main Methods:

  • 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region was employed.
  • Microbial specimens were collected from synovial fluid, periprosthetic deep-tissue, and biofilm during revision surgery.
  • Bioinformatics tools were used for microbial composition, ecological, and differential abundance analyses.

Main Results:

  • The aseptic loosening (AL) group exhibited higher microbial diversity with prominent genera including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Veillonella.
  • The prosthetic joint infection (PJI) group was dominated by Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, particularly in deep-tissue and biofilm samples, respectively.
  • Differential abundance analysis revealed 15 distinct taxa in the AL group and 2 in the PJI group.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct periprosthetic microbial communities exist in orthopedic implants.
  • Microbial composition differs significantly between PJI and AL patient groups.
  • These findings offer insights into the role of microbiota in TJA complications.
Keywords:
16S rRNA sequencingaseptic looseningimplantmicrobiotaprosthetic joint infection

More Related Videos

Novel Diagnostics in Revision Arthroplasty: Implant Sonication and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction10:35

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

Published on: December 3, 2017

11.2K
A Novel Method to Determine the Longitudinal Antibacterial Activity of Drug-Eluting Materials06:18

A Novel Method to Determine the Longitudinal Antibacterial Activity of Drug-Eluting Materials

Published on: March 3, 2023

1.4K

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...