Microbiological Aspects of Joint and Bone Infections

Bone and joint infections can be critical and life-threatening conditions due to the numerous compli¬cations they can elicit and provoke in the human organism. Orthopaedic infection can be either acquired during or after a normal surgical procedure, or a complication triggered by previous operations. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiological aspects of joints and bone infections, the diagnos¬tic methods for their detection and the way of treating. There are numerous etiological agents that cause post-surgical infections in orthopaedics, mainly bacteria, with the predominant role of Staphylococcus aureus. Infections may occur in both natural and artificial joints. However, people with artificial joints are more susceptible to such type of infection. Microbiological investigations are needed to confirm the final diagnosis. Early appropriate choice of parenteral antimicrobial agents may reduce the risk of complications, especially in comorbid patients.