Bacterial adherence to different components of total hip prosthesis in patients with prosthetic joint infection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate and quantify the bacterial adherence to the different components of total hip prosthesis. METHODS: The bacterial load of 80 retrieved hip components from 24 patients was evaluated by counting of colony-forming units (CFU) dislodged from component surfaces using the sonication culture method. RESULTS: Micro-organisms were detected in 68 of 80 explanted components. The highest bacterial load was detected on the polyethylene liners, showing a significant difference in distribution of CFU between the liner and metal components (stem and cup). Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified as the pathogen causing the highest CFU count, especially from the polyethylene liner. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study confirm that sonicate culture of the retrieved liners and heads, which revealed the highest bacterial loads, are reliable and sufficient for pathogen detection in the clinical diagnostic routine.