Impact of Sequential Culture Results on Diagnosis and De-Escalation of the Antibiotic Regimen in Joint and Bone Infections.

Background: According to existing guidelines, orthopedic specimens collected in joint and bone infections (JBI) in our institution are cultured on several media sets and incubated for two, seven, and 14 days. The optimal timing for de-escalation of the first-line antibiotic combination according to the culture results needs to be defined.

Methods: Single-center, retrospective analysis of all adult patients with a first documented episode of JBI between May 2012 and April 2013.

High Frequency of Polymicrobial Infections After Surgical Resection of Malignant Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Surgical resection of a malignant bone tumor (BT) or soft tissue tumor (STT), with or without prosthetic replacement, carries a high risk of developing postoperative infections. There is limited knowledge on the bacteriological spectrum of these postsurgical infections that necessitate empirical antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and microbiological features of site infections following BT or STT resection.

Pharmacokinetic variability of clindamycin and influence of rifampicin on clindamycin concentration in patients with bone and joint infections.

Purpose: Clindamycin, a lincosamide antibiotic with a good penetration into bone, is widely used for treating bone and joint infections by Gram-positive pathogens. To be active against Staphylococcus spp, its concentration at the infection site, C, must be higher than 2× the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The aims of the work were to study the determinants of plasma clindamycin trough concentration, C min, especially the effect of co-treatment with rifampicin, and the consequences on clinical outcome.

Severe hypernatremia after hypertonic saline irrigation of hydatid cysts.

Patients with iatrogenic hypernatremia and serum sodium levels >170 mmol/L either die or sustain severe central nervous system damage. We report the first case of an adult patient who survived an extreme iatrogenic acute hypernatremia (200 mmol/L) resulting from a hypertonic saline irrigation of multiple intraabdominal hydatid cysts. It is a unique report of an intraoperatively developed serum sodium increase without subsequent neurological damage.