Infection is the most severe complication of arthroplasty. PJI (Periprosthetic Joint Infection) canresult in significant morbidity and functional impairment. The incidence of PJI is about 1-3% in spite of correctsurgical tecniques, aseptic measures and antibiotic prophylaxis. The pathogenesis of these infections is relatedto microorganism that reach the prosthesis directly during surgery or after surgery by the haematogenous routeforming biofilms. The diagnosis and treatment of this infections is a challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. In thispaper we do an update in pathogenesis, microbiology, the predisposing factors, classification, clinical presentation,diagnosis and treatment of the PJI.

Infection is the most severe complication of arthroplasty. PJI (Periprosthetic Joint Infection) canresult in significant morbidity and functional impairment. The incidence of PJI is about 1-3% in spite of correctsurgical tecniques, aseptic measures and antibiotic prophylaxis. The pathogenesis of these infections is relatedto microorganism that reach the prosthesis directly during surgery or after surgery by the haematogenous routeforming biofilms. The diagnosis and treatment of this infections is a challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. In thispaper we do an update in pathogenesis, microbiology, the predisposing factors, classification, clinical presentation,diagnosis and treatment of the PJI.