Experimental model of peri-prosthetic infection of the knee caused by Staphylococcus aureus using biomaterials representative of modern TKA

Morris, Jodie L., Letson, Hayley L., Grant, Andrea, Wilkinson, Matthew, Hazratwala, Kaushik, and McEwen, Peter (2019) Experimental model of peri-prosthetic infection of the knee caused by Staphylococcus aureus using biomaterials representative of modern TKA. Biology Open, 8. bio045203.

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Abstract

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains the leading cause for revision surgery, with Staphylococcus aureus the bacterium most frequently responsible. We describe a novel rat model of implant-associated S. aureus infection of the knee using orthopaedic materials relevant to modern TKA. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent unilateral knee implant surgery, which involved placement of a cementless, porous titanium implant into the femur, and an ultra-highly cross-linked polyethyelene (UHXLPE) implant into the proximal tibia within a mantle of gentamicin-laden bone cement. S. aureus biofilms were established on the surface of titanium implants prior to implantation into the femur of infected animals, whilst control animals received sterile implants. Compared to controls, the time taken to full weight-bear and recover pre-surgical body weight was greater in the infected group. Neutrophils and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in infected compared to control animals at day 5 post surgery, returning to baseline levels for the remainder of the 28-day experimental period. Blood cultures remained negative and additional plasma inflammatory markers were comparable for control and infected animals, consistent with the clinical presentation of delayed-onset PJI. S. aureus was recovered from joint tissue and implants at day 28 post surgery from all animals that received pre-seeded titanium implants, despite the use of antibiotic-laden cement. Persistent localised infection was associated with increased inflammatory responses and radiological changes in peri-implant tissue. The availability of a preclinical model that is reproducible based on the use of current TKA materials and consistent with clinical features of delayed-onset PJI will be valuable for evaluation of innovative therapeutic approaches.

Item ID: 60434
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2046-6390
Keywords: animal model; prosthetic joint infection; biofilm; inflammation; Staphylococcus aureus; total knee arthroplasty
Copyright Information: This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided that the original work is properly attributed.
Funders: Australian Orthopaedic Association, Townsville Hospital and Health Service Research and Education Trust Fund, Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, James Cook University
Date Deposited: 01 Oct 2019 23:53
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320216 Orthopaedics @ 80%
32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320226 Surgery @ 20%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920118 Surgical Methods and Procedures @ 20%
92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920116 Skeletal System and Disorders (incl. Arthritis) @ 80%
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