Our research explores natural antimicrobials to combat orthopedic-device-related infections, a challenging issue due to antibiotic resistance. We reviewed agents from bacteria, fungi, viruses, animals, plants and minerals, evaluating their effectiveness and synergy with traditional antibiotics. Our findings suggest these natural alternatives could revolutionize infection management in orthopedic patients, offering new hope for reducing antibiotic resistance and improving treatment outcomes.

When acute soft tissue defects are present after knee arthroplasty, the infection risk is high. A gastrocnemius flap is used for anterior defects, and it is not usually combined with debridement surgery unless infection is clear. We examined the benefit of combining coverage treatment with debridement surgery, DAIR, comparing the isolated traditional coverage treatment. The results suggested a higher healing rate in the combined treatment, so we recommended it.

This study validated three models for predicting infection after hip and knee replacement surgery. By analyzing data from 2684 patients in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, we found that the models developed by Tan, Del Toro, and Bülow effectively identified high-risk patients. These models can be used to enhance preoperative counseling and to tailor infection prevention measures individually, potentially improving outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

A 71-year-old patient underwent shoulder surgery but developed a mild fever, swelling, a burning sensation, and redness of the right shoulder on postoperative day 5. Postoperative septic arthritis was diagnosed, and tissue culture revealed M. catarrhalis. Infection caused by M. catarrhalis is rare after orthopedic surgery, and this is the first reported case of septic arthritis of the glenohumeral joint occurring after arthroscopic surgery. 

Our orthopaedic hospital attempts to culture tuberculosis (TB) bacteria from all bone and joint samples sent to the microbiology laboratory. We looked at 6162 TB cultures performed between 2017 and 2022. Bacteria that cause TB, or similar bacteria, were found in 1 in every 229 patients. Tests were more likely to be positive in people being investigated for cancer (sarcoma) and in samples from the spine, whereas they were much less likely to be positive in samples taken from replacement joints.

This work outlines the first case study of Candida glabrata bone and joint infection successfully treated with 3 weeks of caspofungin followed by 10 weeks of rezafungin, a new generation of antifungal treatment, using a weekly administration mode. 

Musculoskeletal coccidioidomycosis can present in a variety of ways and often mimics non-infectious disease processes, making timely diagnosis challenging. Missed diagnosis can lead to devastating consequences, including joint destruction. Treatment often involves surgical debridement and prolonged antifungal therapy. Physicians in endemic areas should have a low threshold for obtaining Coccidioides-specific labs when patients present with unexplained musculoskeletal complaints.

Skin commensal bacteria such as staphylococci are often the source of orthopaedic-device-related infections. Rifampicin is a widely used antibiotic in the treatment of these infections. The results of this study show that oral rifampicin therapy leads to a consistent and persistent induction of resistance in commensal staphylococci on the skin and in the nose for a prolonged time.