Bone infections are challenging to treat and require new treatments. The current animal models for testing new therapies can be expensive and complex; therefore, we developed a cheap and reliable bone infection model in mice. Our new model features an infected hole created by a needle in the leg bone with a metal pin. This method achieved a consistent infection rate and demonstrates the importance of bacterial biofilm in bone infection.

Sometimes after surgery to repair an injured bone or joint, infection can cause the bone to heal improperly. Surgeons use calcium sulfate to prevent infections in joints after surgery. Calcium sulfate can be impregnated with antibiotics and placed inside the joint, where the bloodstream often cannot deliver intravenous or oral antibiotics effectively. We reviewed 20 years of studies of the effectiveness of calcium sulfate and found high rates of healing and infection eradication.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging test that is often used in patients with a suspected bone infection in their foot. MRI findings may impact how these patients are treated; thus, it is important to understand the significance of various MRI findings. This study compared different patterns of MRI findings in these patients to their clinical outcomes. Patients with classic features of bone infection on MRI had the worst outcomes, whereas patients without them sometimes healed.

While there is no gold standard test to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), we believe synovial fluid analysis, especially preoperatively, is a critical step in differentiating between infection and aseptic failure. Adding simple and inexpensive biomarkers such as synovial C-reactive protein (CRP) or adenosine deaminase (ADA) and combined interpretation can be helpful in the context of inconclusive results.

Upper extremity abscesses frequently present to the acute care setting with inconclusive physical examination and imaging findings. This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of various serum inflammatory markers that are commonly used in the diagnosis of other types of infections. Results demonstrated that C-reactive-protein, an acute phase inflammatory marker, is the most sensitive test, but it is the least specific.

This retrospective case-matched study evaluated males and females with staphylococcal PJI (periprosthetic joint infection) treated with two-stage exchange arthroplasty. We matched 156 males and females for age, type of staphylococcal infection, and joint involved. We compared clinical parameters related to presentation, treatment, and outcome. We did not find a statistically significant difference in outcome between males and females treated with the same surgical approach at our institution.

This international retrospective cohort study displays the diagnostic characteristics of 609 patients who were treated for fracture-related infection (FRI). Clinical confirmatory criteria were present in 77% of patients. In the remaining patients, the decision to operatively collect deep tissue cultures had to be based on a set of suggestive criteria. The combined use of these suggestive criteria should guide treating physicians in the management pathway of FRI.

Physicians have difficulties interpreting the isolation of Cutibacterium acnes in the spine tissue. Here we provide the experience of our center about this topic, adding data that can help physicians in their choices. Our results show that some clinical, radiological, and microbiological features can help distinguish patients to treat or not to treat. Moreover, treatment with parenteral beta-lactams appears to be effective, but targeted oral therapy could be a valid alternative.