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How long should we keep clinical isolates involved in bone and joint infections in microbiology laboratories?

Stéphane Corvec1,2, Julie Lourtet-Hascoet3

  • 1Nantes Université, Univ Angers, CHU Nantes - Service de Bactériologie et des Contrôles Microbiologiques, INSERM, CNRS, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302/EMR6001, Nantes, F-44000, France. stephane.corvec@chu-nantes.fr.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|June 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Standardized storage of bacterial strains from bone and joint infections (BJI) is crucial. Long-term preservation in biobanks ensures diagnostic reliability and supports future research and medico-legal needs.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biobanking

Background:

  • Bone and joint infections (BJI), especially periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), are significant postoperative complications.
  • Current international guidelines lack specific recommendations for preserving clinical bacterial isolates.
  • Microbiology labs have varied protocols for storing infection-causing strains, impacting long-term usability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize guidelines and data on bacterial strain preservation techniques for BJIs.
  • To assess the impact of different preservation methods on strain viability and genetic stability.
  • To emphasize the need for standardized, long-term storage of clinical isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of international and national guidelines (ICM, EBJIS, IDSA, SPILF) and French regulatory texts.
  • Analysis of published data on various bacterial preservation methods (serial subculture, media, freezing, desiccation, lyophilization).
  • Examination of factors affecting strain viability and genetic integrity during storage.

Main Results:

  • Guidelines recommend preserving BJI strains for molecular analysis and medico-legal purposes, but lack detail on duration and conditions.
  • Optimal long-term stability is achieved with freezing at -80°C to -130°C.
  • Inadequate storage (temperature fluctuations, humidity, oxygen) can lead to contamination, DNA degradation, and genetic drift.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized, long-term storage of bacterial isolates in dedicated biobanks is essential for clinical, epidemiological, and medico-legal value.
  • A minimum preservation period of five years is recommended to enhance diagnostic accuracy and support research.
  • Implementing standardized protocols strengthens outbreak investigations and future scientific endeavors.

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