DNA sequencing could catch infected hip and knee implants sooner
NCT ID NCT07838064
First seen Sep 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 25, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Prosthetic joint infection is a leading reason hip and knee replacements fail, and current tests often miss it. This study uses nanopore sequencing to compare bacteria and immune gene activity in tissue, joint fluid, and blood from people having revision surgery, both with and without infection. Researchers aim to find biomarkers that diagnose infection earlier and more accurately, and to see whether less invasive samples can work as well as tissue taken during surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- nanopore sequencing to detect infection biomarkers
- What this could lead to
- If it works, doctors could diagnose infected hip and knee replacements earlier and more accurately, including with blood or joint fluid instead of surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early study of 40 people, so it may not find reliable biomarkers or the results may not hold in larger groups. It tests diagnosis, not a treatment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2026
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or Female, aged 18 years or above. * Due to undergo prosthetic revision surgery for any reason identified by the clinical team. * Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study. * Pre-operative blood samples and at least 5 substantial peri-prosthetic tissue samples of a suitable size to be distributed between labs as outlined were successfully collected (note that it may not be possible to collect synovial fluid in all cases). Exclusion Criteria: * The participant has previously undergone any kind of revision surgery for their hip implant. * The participant has received any antibiotic treatment within the previous two weeks (excluding antibiotics at induction). * Participant lacking capacity to give informed consent. * Any other clinical reason the participant should not be included in the study- at the discretion of the clinical team.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Queen Alexandra Hospital
RECRUITINGPortsmouth, PO6 3LY, United Kingdom
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Southampton General Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSouthampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
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