Synovial alpha-defensin at reimplantation in two-stage revision arthroplasty to rule out persistent infection

Abstract

Background/Aim: Owing to the lack of a diagnostic gold standard, ruling out persistent periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) before second-stage surgery in the setting of two-stage revision arthroplasty constitutes a major challenge. We evaluated if the alpha-defensin-1 (AD-1) test could predict successful infection eradication before reimplantation of a new prosthesis. Patients and Methods: Our prospective study included 20 patients who underwent two-stage revision arthroplasty for treatment of PJI. A standard quantitative enzyme AD-1 immunoassay of synovial fluid, the synovial leukocyte esterase test and routine laboratory blood testing were performed prior to explantation and reimplantation. Treatment failure was defined according to the Delphi-based consensus criteria after a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Results: A 15% of our patients met the Delphi Criteria within 1 year. None of the markers investigated were significantly different in patients with and without reinfection. Conclusion: Further research is necessary to identify biomarkers more suitable for indicating persistent infection before reimplantation.