Detection of Biomarkers for Prosthetic Infection Type - DEBIT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Detection of Biomarkers for Prosthetic Infection Type - (DEBIT)
IRAS ID
359190
Contact name
Erin James
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents one of the most common reasons for failure among hip and knee arthroplasty, with an incidence of around 1-2%. Diagnosing infection can be challenging, as loosening of the implant cement (osteolysis), damage, and metal reactions can be impossible to differentiate without invasive procedures. Given the significant costs to the NHS for corrective revision surgery, the added suffering and risks to patients from surgery, and the risk of enhancing antimicrobial resistance through the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, a predictive test for early diagnosis of infection is required. In this study, we will use nanopore sequencing platforms from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) to identify potential novel biomarkers for PJI in samples collected from patients undergoing revision surgery. We will explore the microbes present, along with the host’s immunological response, to identify potential novel biomarkers in infected samples compared to those revised for other reasons. We will test for detection of these biomarkers in tissue surrounding the implant, as well as in less invasive sample types (synovial fluid and blood). These will provide novel biomarkers for diagnosis and early treatment of PJI for the future.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0805
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion