Alpha-Defensin and Synovial Proteins to Improve Detection of Pediatric Septic Arthritis

Launched by HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY, NEW YORK · Oct 9, 2018

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying new ways to help doctors quickly and accurately diagnose septic arthritis in children, a serious joint infection that requires urgent treatment. The current method, which involves testing fluid from the joint, can take several days to get results, making it difficult for surgeons to know if immediate surgery is needed. The trial will look at specific markers in the joint fluid that could help differentiate between septic arthritis and other causes of joint inflammation more quickly.

Children who have joint swelling, either from infection or other inflammatory conditions, may be eligible to participate. This includes those with joint fluid collected from the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, and other large joints. Even children who have been on antibiotics recently can join, as they will be studied separately. Participants will undergo a procedure to collect joint fluid, and their results will help researchers understand if these new tests can improve diagnosis times. It's important to note that families can choose not to participate, and children with recent major joint injuries or infections may not be eligible. This study aims to improve care for children with joint problems by finding faster and more reliable diagnosis methods.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria- Septic Cases and Inflamed, Non-Septic Comparators:
• • Synovial fluid is obtained to assess for infection or inflammatory/rheumatologic disease (all medium and large joints will be included: hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, subtalar, elbow, and wrist joints)
• • Patients with recent antibiotic exposure are eligible to participate but will be analyzed separately
• Inclusion Criteria- Normative Controls:
• • Patients undergoing a procedure unrelated to infection (the procedure may be arthroscopy, or an open or percutaneous bony or soft tissue procedure)
• Exclusion Criteria- All Participants:
• • Family declines to participate/consent
• • Patients with a major joint trauma (such as a documented ligament tear or fracture) within the past 8 weeks are not eligible to have that joint aspirated, but could have another joint aspirated
• Exclusion Criteria- Normative Controls:
• • A history of recent infection (within the past 3 months)
• • Received antibiotics in the past 7 days