title: Combined measurement of synovial fluid α-Defensin and C-reactive protein levels: highly accurate for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined measurement of the levels of two synovial fluid biomarkers, α-defensin and C-reactive protein (CRP), for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and forty-nine synovial fluid aspirates, including 112 from patients with an aseptic diagnosis and thirty-seven from patients with periprosthetic joint infection, met the inclusion criteria for this prospective study. Synovial fluid aspirates were tested for α-defensin and CRP levels with use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) definition of periprosthetic joint infection was utilized for the classification of cases as aseptic or infected. Comorbidities, such as inflammatory conditions, that could confound a test for periprosthetic joint infection were documented, but the patients with such comorbidities were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combination of synovial fluid α-defensin and CRP tests demonstrated a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. Synovial fluid α-defensin tests alone demonstrated a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 96% for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. Synovial fluid CRP tests, with a low threshold of 3 mg/L, reversed all-false positive α-defensin results without affecting the sensitivity of the test. The diagnostic characteristics of these assays were achieved in a population of patients demonstrating a 23% rate of systemic inflammatory diseases (in the series as a whole) and a 27% rate of concurrent antibiotic treatment (in the infection group). The synovial fluid levels of α-defensin in the setting of periprosthetic joint infection were unchanged during concurrent antibiotic treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined measurement of synovial fluid α-defensin and CRP levels correctly diagnosed 99% of the cases in this study as aseptic or infected. This was achieved despite the inclusion of patients with systemic inflammatory disease and those receiving treatment with antibiotics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: The Rothman Institute, 925 Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Rothman Institute at Jefferson, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deirmengian
authors.affiliation: CD Diagnostics, The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Suite R215, 100 East Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kardos
authors.affiliation: CD Diagnostics, The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Suite R215, 100 East Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kilmartin
authors.affiliation: CD Diagnostics, The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Suite R215, 100 East Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: CD Diagnostics, The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Suite R215, 100 East Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schiller
authors.affiliation: The Rothman Institute, 925 Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Rothman Institute at Jefferson, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
authors.forename: Javad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parvizi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019540:Area Under Curve; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D023084:alpha-Defensins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein