Noncontact Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of Synovial Fluid Samples for Rapid Identification of Infections

Abstract

Severe joint infections, such as septic arthritis, require rapid diagnostic testing of the synovial fluid aspirated from joints level so that a surgical team can be assembled quickly. We present a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system for noncontact determination of infection. Using a light-tight syringe holder and fiber optic probe, diffusely reflected light from 475 to 655 nm was acquired from 18 patient samples through the wall of a syringe in a noncontact and sterile manner. We determined the reflectance ratios at two different wavelengths—R ₄₉₀/R ₆₀₀ and R ₅₈₀/R ₆₀₀ and found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in both ratios between the infected and noninfected groups. Critically, the R ₄₉₀/R ₆₀₀ and R ₅₈₀/R ₆₀₀ ratios were significantly correlated with clinical biomarkers—the white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of DRS as a rapid diagnostic tool for joint infections.