This is a case report which follows a patient who received multiple false positive synovial alpha-defensin test results following a revision for total knee arthroplasty. The report looks at the importance of generalizability in diagnostic testing and how a lack thereof can extend the cost and duration of care.

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection can cause serious complications such as bone and joint involvement. We reviewed 489 cases (2017–2022) at a Brussels tertiary hospital to identify risk factors. Prolonged bacteremia and community acquisition increased the risk, while active cancer and intensive-care stay reduced it. This study highlights the burden of bone and joint infections in Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection.

A simple, rapid, and low-cost test measuring synovial fluid specific gravity shows high accuracy and excellent specificity for diagnosing hip and knee periprosthetic joint infection. This method can quickly help rule in infections during revision surgeries, making it a practical point-of-care tool, especially in clinics or hospitals with limited resources. Its performance supports use alongside established lab markers for better patient outcomes.

Infections represent a serious complication following the implantation of osteoarticular devices. Rifampicin in combination with fluoroquinolone is the most prescribed antibiotic regimen. Nevertheless, fluoroquinolones are associated with significant adverse effects. We sought to evaluate whether oral tetracyclines could serve as an alternative therapeutic option. Our findings suggest that tetracyclines may constitute a suitable alternative in cases where fluoroquinolones are not usable.