Bacterial DNA screening to characterize surgical site infection risk in orthopaedic patients.

Wolfe, Preston N; Campfield, Brian D; Crist, Brett D; Keeney, James A; Smith, Matthew J; Cook, James L; Stoker, Aaron M · J Orthop · 2021

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

To provide an initial characterization of relevant bacterial DNA profiles for patients undergoing closed-fracture fixation or total joint arthroplasties. Swabs were collected and analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction from adult patients undergoing closed-fracture fixation or total shoulder, knee, or hip arthroplasties. Bacterial DNA profiles varied across the different orthopaedic patient populations, and produced uncharacteristic profile shifts with direct relevance to each clinical infection. Findings provide a foundational dataset regarding bacterial colonization of relevant anatomic sites that can act as sources of surgical site infections for patients.