CD64 as a marker of prosthetic joint infection
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is CD64 level an effective test for the early diagnosis and management of joint replacement infection.
IRAS ID
133171
Contact name
Mike Reed
Contact email
Research summary
Hip and knee replacements are common operations that relieve the pain of arthritis. Each year in the UK over 150,000 of these operations are carried out. Joint replacement is however not without risk and a small number of patients will unfortunately develop an infection in the artificial joint. It can be difficult to accurately diagnose an infection in a joint replacement. The earlier an infection is identified the sooner it can be treated giving the best chance of success. Unfortunately if a joint replacement infection is not picked up early the treatment required is often more radical and it is often necessary to completely remove the joint replacement and leave the patient without a joint until the infection has been cured. The patient will then have to undergo another joint replacement operation, often several months later. This situation causes much suffering for the patients involved. Currently there is no effective method to give an early warning of infection. Results from our pilot study have shown however that CD 64 has the potential to be an effective way of diagnosing prosthetic joint infection. If caught early enough some infections may be cured with antibiotics and a washout of the artificial joint therefore saving the patient the turmoil of removal of the joint. The potential for CD 64 to be used as an early warning system for infection in joint replacement could help large numbers of patients to keep their original joint replacement and return to function quickly.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NE/0270
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion