False-positive synovial fluid alpha-defensin test in a patient with acute gout affecting a prosthetic knee.
The alpha-defensin test has demonstrated promising results in studies evaluating it for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection. There are limited data in the literature regarding its use in patients with other inflammatory joint conditions, but a high specificity for infection has been reported. We describe a patient with a prosthetic knee joint, who had a positive alpha-defensin lateral flow assay but in whom subsequent results confirmed a diagnosis of acute gout with no evidence of infection.
Department of Microbiology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S5 7AU, UK. david.partridge@sth.nhs.uk.
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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0417-2016
DG
Partridge
Department of Orthopaedics, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S5 7AU, UK.
A
A
Gordon
Department of Microbiology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S5 7AU, UK.
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R
Townsend
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*
D023084:alpha-Defensins
Alpha-defensin assay; Gout; Joint aspirate; Prosthetic joint infection; Synovasure