Best microbiological practice recommendations for the diagnosis of peri-prosthetic joint infections: the CRIOGO bacteriology reference center network.

Diagnosis of prosthetic Joint Infections (PJI) remains challenging at the microbiological level. Despite the implementation and adoption of new methods, an heterogeniety of microbiological practices is still observed. These CRIOGO recommendations (Centre de Référence des Infections Ostéo-articulaires du Grand Ouest) aim to set out some basic principles for the diagnosis of PJI in microbiology laboratories. The CRIOGO microbiologists' team who have been working together for 15 years were invited to provide regional recommendations for microbiology diagnosis based on their practical expertise. These recommendations were developed through a systematic review of the literature and discussion amongst experts. The proposed CRIOGO recommendations were voted on upon by a 10 local panelists via the Delphi process. Total consensus was reached on all 27 recommendations that received 100% agreement. The CRIOGO microbiologists' team proposed practical guidelines in response to the most frequently asked questions received at our laboratory reference centres. A short, comprehensive answer supported by literature backs up the argument. Out of the 27 detailed CRIOGO recommendations, 22 achieved 100% consensus. This work was initiated to harmonise our daily practices for managing PJI diagnosis within the CRIOGO network in line with the literature.