In this study, we aimed to contrast the bacteriologic epidemiology of osteoarticular infections (OAIs) between 2 patient groups in successive 10-year periods, before and after the extensive use of nucleic acid amplification assays in the diagnostic process.
Epidemiologic data and bacteriologic etiologies of all children presenting with OAIs on admission to our institution over 20 years (1997-2016) were assessed retrospectively. The population was divided into 2 cohorts, using the standardized use of polymerase chain reaction as the cutoff point (2007). The conventional cohort included children with OAIs mainly investigated by using classic cultures, whereas the molecular cohort referred to patients also investigated by using molecular assays.
Extensive use of nucleic acid amplification assays improved the detection of fastidious pathogens and has increased the observed incidence of OAI, especially in children aged between 6 and 48 months. We propose the incorporation of polymerase chain reaction assays into modern diagnostic algorithms for OAIs to better identify the bacteriologic etiology of OAIs.