Developing a Clinically Representative Model of Periprosthetic Joint Infection

➤ The poor treatment outcomes for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) reflect the limited understanding that currently exists regarding the pathogenesis of this devastating clinical problem. ➤ Current animal models of PJI are limited in their translational nature primarily because of their inability to recreate the periprosthetic environment. ➤ A greater mechanistic understanding of the musculoskeletal and immune systems of small animals, such as mice and rats, provides a more robust platform for modeling and examining the pathogenesis of PJI. ➤ A clinically representative PJI model must involve an implant that recreates the periprosthetic space and be amenable to methodologies that identify implant biofilm as well as quantify the peri-implant bacterial load.