Factors associated with late microbiological documentation of prosthetic joint infection.

To describe the number of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) with late documentation and to identify associated factors. Bacterial PJIs with surgical management between November 2015 and November 2019 in a French center were analyzed. Results of short (72 h) and late culture (at 14 days) were analyzed. A total of 160 PJIs were reported with 215 bacteria. Twenty-nine patients had late documentation (18.1%). The bacteria most involved were coagulase-negative staphylococci and spp. (60%). In multivariate analysis, late chronic PJI (odds ratio = 2.47) and antibiotic therapy before surgery (odds ratio = 3.13) were associated with late-documented infection. A better knowledge of the factors associated with late-documented infections is essential in order to simplify antibiotic treatment at the appropriate time.