• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.220-230
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• 2023

Identification of the pathogens causing infection is important in terms of patient's health management and infection control. Synovial fluids could be used as clinical samples to detect causative pathogens of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) using molecular diagnostic assays, therefore, normalization and validation of clinical samples are necessary. Microbial culture is considered the gold standard for all infections, including PJIs. Recently, molecular diagnostic methods have been developed to overcome the limitation of microbial culture. Therefore, guideline for validating clinical samples to provide reliable results of molecular diagnostic assays for infectious diseases is required in clinical field. The present study aimed to develop an accurate validating method of synovial fluid clinical samples using GAPDH gene as an internal control to perform the quantitative PCR TaqMan probe assay to detect pathogens causing PJIs.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2023

Purpose: A staged revision with placement of a temporary antibiotic-loaded cement spacer after removal of the implant is the "gold standard" for treatment of chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI). It enables local delivery of antibiotics, maintenance of limb-length and mobility, easier reimplantation. However, bacterial colonization of spacers and mechanical complications can also occur. The aim of this study is to evaluate functional results and infection control in two-stage treatment of total hip arthroplasty (THA) PJI with and without a spacer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 64 consecutive patients was conducted: 34 underwent two-stage revision using a cement spacer (group A), 30 underwent two-stage revision without a spacer (group B). At the final follow-up, functional evaluation of patients with a THA in site, without PJI recurrence, was performed using the Harris hip score (HHS). Measurement of limb-length and off-set discrepancies was performed using anteroposterior pelvic X-rays. Results: Most patients in group B were older with more comorbidities preoperatively. Thirty-three patients (97.1%) in group A underwent THA reimplantation versus 22 patients (73.3%) in group B (P<0.001). No significant differences in limb-length and off-set were observed. The results of functional evaluation performed during the final follow-up (mean, 41 months) showed better function in patients in group A (mean HHS, 76.3 vs. 55.9; P<0.001). Conclusion: The use of antibiotic-loaded cement spacer seems superior in terms of functional outcomes and reimplantation rate. Resection arthroplasty might be reserved as a first-stage procedure in patients who are unfit, who might benefit from a definitive procedure.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2021

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a typical group of microorganisms, and the recent advances in laboratory technology and medicine has dramatically modified their significance in medical practice. CoNS, which were previously classified as normal bacterial flora, have recently been reported to be associated with serious infectious diseases, such as surgical wound infection or periprosthetic joint infection. Representative CoNS include Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, and S. saprophyticus, which are known to cause serious problems in biomaterial-based and prosthetic device infections, as well as to cause simple urinary tract infections in sexually active women. Over the last decade, the clinical isolation rate of CoNS has been increasing, and antibiotic resistance has also been occurring. This review aimed to investigate the incidence of CoNS infection and to use the results as basic data for the management of CoNS, with a focus on the isolation rate and antibiotic resistance in clinical surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.280-283
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• 2018

Knee revision arthroplasty following peri-prosthetic joint infections is a formidable challenge. Patients are at a high risk of recurrent infection, and the soft tissue over the revised implant is often of questionable quality. Flap reconstruction has improved the salvage rates of infected arthroplasties, and should be considered in all cases of revision arthroplasty. We present a challenging case requiring staged reconstruction with two free latissimus dorsi flaps after the initial use of a medial gastrocnemius flap.