title: [Histopathology and microbiology of joint infections: extension of diagnostic safety in patients with chronic polyarthritis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It can be difficult to distinguish between synovitis due to rheumatism and synovitis due to a bacterial infection. Microbiological detection of bacteria is not always successful and the clinical significance of low virulent bacteria often remains uncertain. Therefore, the histopathological finding of inflammatory reactions is very important.
  
  
  METHODS
  From patients with clinically clear signs of infections and rheumatoid arthritis who underwent surgery between April and August 2011, samples were taken during surgery. Histopathological diagnosis was carried out by conventional enzyme and immunohistochemical techniques based on defined criteria of bacterial infection in tissues, synovial tissue and bone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 20 patients were included, 10 males and 10 females with a mean age of 61.7 years. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly detected bacteria and in 4 cases bacteria could not be demonstrated. The correlation between the histopathological signs of an infection and microbiological detection of bacteria was 93.3 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with rheumatoid arthritis the combination of histopathology and microbiology significantly increased the safety of detecting an infection or contamination.
authors: Klinik für Rheumaorthopädie, St. Josef Stift Sendenhorst, Westtor 7, 48324, Sendenhorst, Deutschland. ulrich_illgner@web.de
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Illgner
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Krenn
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Osada
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bause
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
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