Lipopolysaccharide found in aseptic loosening of patients with inflammatory arthritis

Jennifer L. Nalepka, Michael J. Lee, Matthew J. Kraay, Randall E. Marcus, Victor M. Goldberg, Xin Chen, Edward M. Greenfield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aseptic loosening of orthopaedic implants occurs in the absence of clinical signs of infection. Nevertheless, bacterial endotoxins derived from subclinical infections, systemic sources, or the implant manufacturing process may contribute to aseptic loosening. Also, the rate of implant infection is greater in patients with inflammatory arthritis than in patients with osteoarthritis. We hypothesized that lipopolysaccharide, the classic endotoxin derived from gram-negative bacteria, is more prevalent in periprosthetic tissue surrounding aseptically loose implants in patients with inflammatory arthritis than in patients with osteoarthritis. To test this, we used a modified Limulus amebocyte assay not affected by β-glucan-like molecules in mammalian tissues. Lipopolysaccharide rarely was detected in periprosthetic tissue from patients with osteoarthritis and aseptic loosening (one of six patients). In contrast, lipopolysaccharide was detected despite the absence of any clinical signs of infection in peri-prosthetic tissue from all four patients with inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus). Lipopolysaccharide also was detected in two patients with gram-negative infections, who were included as positive control subjects. Endotoxins derived from low-grade or systemic bacteremia may be important contributors to aseptic loosening particularly in patients with autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory arthritis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)229-235
Number of pages7
JournalClinical orthopaedics and related research
Volume451
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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