Sonicate fluid inoculated into blood culture bottles does not improve diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection caused by anaerobes. A retrospective analysis.

Background: In microbiological diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) there is much controversial discussion about culture media and incubation time, especially if anaerobic bacteria are the causative agents. This retrospective analysis was conducted to compare the results obtained by inoculation of sonicate fluid from prosthetic components into BD Bactec blood culture bottles with those obtained by our culture method using sensitive supplemented growth media.

Methods: Twenty-eight cases were included in this study.

Periprosthetic joint infection caused by anaerobes. Retrospective analysis reveals no need for prolonged cultivation time if sensitive supplemented growth media are used.

Background: In microbiological diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) culture media and incubation time are controversially discussed, especially if anaerobic bacteria are the causative agent. This study was conducted to demonstrate the influence of sensitive supplemented growth media on the duration of culturing anaerobes.

Methods: Twenty-five consecutive cases were included in this retrospective study.