Application of a metatranscriptomics technology, CSI-Dx, for the detection of pathogens associated with prosthetic joint infections.

Preoperative identification of causal organism(s) is crucial for effective prosthetic joint infection treatment. Herein, we explore the clinical application of a novel metatranscriptomic (MT) workflow, CSI-Dx, to detect pathogens associated with prosthetic joint infection. MT provides insight into transcriptionally active microbes, overcoming limitations of culture-based and available molecular methods.

cleanSURFACES intervention reduces microbial activity on surfaces in a senior care facility.

As one of the top public health challenges outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), estimates report that hospital acquired infections (HAIs) claim the lives of 99,000 Americans and cost healthcare providers over $28 billion each year. In addition to underlying conditions related to age, elderly patients in long-term care facilities are at an elevated risk of acquiring HAIs. A large percentage of HAIs is attributable to contaminated surfaces and medical devices.

Comparative meta-omics for identifying pathogens associated with prosthetic joint infection.

Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are economically and personally costly, and their incidence has been increasing in the United States. Herein, we compared 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (16S), shotgun metagenomics (MG) and metatranscriptomics (MT) in identifying pathogens causing PJI. Samples were collected from 30 patients, including 10 patients undergoing revision arthroplasty for infection, 10 patients receiving revision for aseptic failure, and 10 patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty.

Joint-preserving procedures for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a poorly understood condition that may lead to progressive destruction of the hip joint. Its incidence is common between the third and fifth decades of life and it is the diagnosis behind 5-18% of annually performed total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in the USA.Regarding the high rate of complications of THA in that age group, authors have agreed on the importance of joint-preservation techniques for this disease but techniques vary to establish a generally accepted algorithmic approach.

Musculoskeletal Infection in Pediatrics: Assessment of the 2018 International Consensus Meeting on Musculoskeletal Infection.

The Second International Consensus Meeting (ICM) on Musculoskeletal Infection was held in July 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This meeting involved contributions from an international multidisciplinary consortium of experts from orthopaedic surgery, infectious disease, pharmacology, rheumatology, microbiology, and others. Through strict delegate engagement in a comprehensive 13-step consensus process based on the Delphi technique, evidence-based consensus guidelines on musculoskeletal infection were developed.

Force Comparison of Commercially Available Transfascial Suture Passers.

Background: Transfascial suture passers (TSPs) are a commonly used surgical tool available in a wide array of tip configurations. We assessed the insertion force of various TSPs in an ex vivo porcine model.

Methods: Uniform sections of porcine abdominal wall were secured to a 3D-printed platform.

Reduced postoperative pain scores and narcotic use favor per-oral endoscopic myotomy over laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

Introduction: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a less invasive therapy for achalasia with a shorter hospitalization but with similar short- and long-term outcomes as a laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM). Previous literature comparing POEM to LHM has focused primarily on postoperative outcome parameters such as complications, dysphagia scores and gastro-esophageal reflux severity. This study specifically compares postoperative pain following POEM to pain following LHM, the current gold-standard operation.