Bone and joint infections (BJI) cause serious morbidity and pose significant management challenges. They may cause acute sepsis with bone and joint destruction, discharging wounds, chronic pain, and permanent disability. With increasing age and expanding populations, bone and joint infections, especially those involving devices, will have a growing impact on healthcare resources. Specifically, one typical type of BJI, periprosthetic joint infection, is even more difficult to manage. Although the incidence of PJI is not high, the diagnosis is difficult; the treatment is complicated, and the efficacy is uncertain. Patients usually need to undergo multiple operations with long-term antibiotic treatment.
The research on the interaction between microorganisms and host cells has been a hot topic in recent years, trying to elucidate the pathogenesis of BJI. Several novel diagnostic approaches have also been proposed and gradually applied in clinical practice, including optimization of culture methods or obtaining sonication fluid of prostheses to improve diagnostic sensitivity. Some novel molecular diagnostic tools have been developed, such as metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which has significantly improved the detection rate of microorganisms in BJI and correspondingly increased the overall treatment success rate.
However, there are still many controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of PJI. For example, the diagnostic value of a-defensin or leukocyte esterase test is still questionable. In terms of treatment, the therapeutic effect of debridement antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) for acute PJI, and whether to perform one-stage or two-stage revision for chronic PJI has not yet reached a consensus.
In this Research Topic, we aim at studying the evolution of the concept of BJI and investigating the interaction between pathogens and host, bringing together information on the pathogenesis of BJI and exploring recent advances in BJI diagnosis and treatment.
Submissions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Clinical Trials are welcomed, focusing on but not limited to the following topics:
1. Advances in BJI epidemiology
2. Innovation of biofilm theory in BJI.
3. Progress of existing diagnostic technology for BJI.
4. Innovation of novel diagnostic methods for BJI, including but not limited to mNGS and other technologies.
5. New advances in BJI basic research, including but not limited to great insight into the interaction between microbial infection and the immune system.
6. New advances in BJI clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Bone and joint infections (BJI) cause serious morbidity and pose significant management challenges. They may cause acute sepsis with bone and joint destruction, discharging wounds, chronic pain, and permanent disability. With increasing age and expanding populations, bone and joint infections, especially those involving devices, will have a growing impact on healthcare resources. Specifically, one typical type of BJI, periprosthetic joint infection, is even more difficult to manage. Although the incidence of PJI is not high, the diagnosis is difficult; the treatment is complicated, and the efficacy is uncertain. Patients usually need to undergo multiple operations with long-term antibiotic treatment.
The research on the interaction between microorganisms and host cells has been a hot topic in recent years, trying to elucidate the pathogenesis of BJI. Several novel diagnostic approaches have also been proposed and gradually applied in clinical practice, including optimization of culture methods or obtaining sonication fluid of prostheses to improve diagnostic sensitivity. Some novel molecular diagnostic tools have been developed, such as metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which has significantly improved the detection rate of microorganisms in BJI and correspondingly increased the overall treatment success rate.
However, there are still many controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of PJI. For example, the diagnostic value of a-defensin or leukocyte esterase test is still questionable. In terms of treatment, the therapeutic effect of debridement antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) for acute PJI, and whether to perform one-stage or two-stage revision for chronic PJI has not yet reached a consensus.
In this Research Topic, we aim at studying the evolution of the concept of BJI and investigating the interaction between pathogens and host, bringing together information on the pathogenesis of BJI and exploring recent advances in BJI diagnosis and treatment.
Submissions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Clinical Trials are welcomed, focusing on but not limited to the following topics:
1. Advances in BJI epidemiology
2. Innovation of biofilm theory in BJI.
3. Progress of existing diagnostic technology for BJI.
4. Innovation of novel diagnostic methods for BJI, including but not limited to mNGS and other technologies.
5. New advances in BJI basic research, including but not limited to great insight into the interaction between microbial infection and the immune system.
6. New advances in BJI clinical diagnosis and treatment.