This, in turn, has the potential
to inform our understanding of the clinical significance of the isolation
of specific species from the site of a prosthetic joint. Beginning in
2011, MALDI-TOF MS was iteratively introduced into our routine clinical
practice, such that since 2012, it has been used to identify most bacteria
isolated from the site of a prosthetic joint. It is used alongside conventional
rapid diagnostic tests such as catalase, coagulase, indole, and oxidase
testing for the identification of microorganisms from sterile site
specimens. Herein, we addressed the clinical significance of individual
species of bacteria and fungi isolated from the site of a prosthetic joint
using current-day, rapid identification tests with a particular focus on
the role of MALDI-TOF MS. We also explored the question as to how
many culture-positive specimens should be tested with MALDI-TOF
MS in the case of multiple culture-positive specimens.