Next Generation Sequencing Reveals Increased Diversity of Organisms compared to Culture in Pre-Debridement Lavage of Infected TKA. Bacteria

In this study, we compare the detection of microbiota via NGS technique to culture in the clinical scenario of PJI in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Specifically, we apply a multimodal lavage agent that disrupts the extra-microbial polymeric matrix (EMPM) (biofilm) prior to surgical debridement. After obtaining pre and post lavage samples, we compared the results of NGS to culture. Our hypothesis is that NGS will detect a greater diversity of organisms compared to culture. In addition, with biofilm disruption, NGS should detect additional microbes that may not be viable for culture.