Peking University First Hospital Procedure for Culturing Pathogenic Microorganisms for Bone and Joint Infection

Yunpeng Cui1, Qiwei Wang1, Chuan Mi1

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found that tissue homogenization significantly improves pathogen detection rates in bone and joint infections, especially in patients without systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The Peking University First Hospital Procedure is a practical method for identifying microorganisms.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Bone and joint infections (BJIs) pose significant diagnostic challenges.
  • Accurate identification of pathogenic microorganisms is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Current methods for pathogen acquisition in BJIs require optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of the Peking University First Hospital Procedure for culturing pathogenic microorganisms in patients with BJIs.
  • To compare different tissue sample processing methods for optimizing pathogen detection.
  • To identify factors influencing the positive culture rate in BJIs.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study of 68 patients with BJIs from Aug 2018 to Mar 2022.
  • Tissue samples were processed using manual homogenization (MH), manual mixture (MM), or pathological examination.
  • Microbial data, clinical information, and laboratory results were analyzed using statistical tests.

Main Results:

  • The manual homogenization group achieved an 80.5% positive culture rate.
  • Patients with positive cultures in the manual mixture group showed elevated inflammatory markers (WBC, NE%, ESR, CRP, IL6).
  • Tissue homogenization significantly increased positive culture rates in patients without SIRS and was the only method maintaining statistical difference in ESR post-processing.

Conclusions:

  • The Peking University First Hospital Procedure is a practical and effective approach for acquiring pathogenic microorganisms in BJIs.
  • Tissue homogenization is a key step for improving diagnostic yield, particularly in specific patient subgroups.
  • Pre-culture antibiotic exposure did not independently affect culture outcomes.