López-Torres, Irene IsabelSanz Ruiz, PabloNavarro García, FedericoLeón-Román, Victor EstuardoVaquero Martín, Francisco Javier2025-11-112025-11-112020-06López-Torres II, Sanz-Ruíz P, Navarro-García F, León-Román VE, Vaquero-Martín J. Experimental reproduction of periprosthetic joint infection: Developing a representative animal model. The Knee [Internet]. junio de 2020 [citado 11 de noviembre de 2025];27(3):1106-12. Disponible en: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S09680160193032300968-016010.1016/j.knee.2019.12.012https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/125962Infection after arthroplasty (prosthetic joint infection; PJI) is a devastating complication that can lead to functional loss of the affected limb. The purpose of the present study is to develop an animal model of PJI using a three-dimensional printed species-specific implant, which is a step forward for future research to develop new therapeutic strategies. Methods Fifteen New Zealand White rabbits were employed to reproduce PJI by intra-articular inoculation of 105 cfu/ml of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 29213. Three-dimensional printing technology was used to design a species-specific four-millimeter-thick implant maintaining the anatomical irregularities of the tibial-articular surface. Response to bacterial inoculation was monitored by clinical (weight and temperature), hematological (leukocyte, lymphocyte and platelet counts) and biochemical (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) analyses at the time of inoculation and seven days thereafter, when microbiological samples for culture were also taken. Results All animals recovered from surgery and all displayed full weight-bearing four days postoperatively. Fourteen of the 15 tested animals (93.3%) presented positive microbiological cultures. A statistically significant increase was found in the number of platelets and leukocytes, as well as a significant decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes, with P = 0.0001 in all cases. Conclusions An experimental model faithfully reproducing the periprosthetic infection environment and achieving a high rate of infection has been designed. The use of three-dimensional printed species-specific implants allows rapid postoperative recovery of animals and the development of a stable biofilm. These characteristics make it an interesting model to study its pathogenesis and possible therapeutic strategies.engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/journal articlehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2019.12.012https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968016019303230restricted access615.28Animal modelPeriprosthetic infectionRabbitInfectionProsthesisBacteriaMicrobiología (Farmacia)Cirugía2414 Microbiología