**Preface to "Prosthetic Joint Infection: The Challenges of Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment and Opportunities for Future Research"**

Joint replacement is a common and increasingly performed surgical procedure. The most commonly replaced joints are the hip and knee, although virtually all extra-axial joints can be replaced. Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are devastating complications with significant patient morbidity and mortality and considerable healthcare and societal costs. Although the percentage of PJIs in patients with joint replacements could be considered low (1–3% for elective primary arthroplasties), the increasing frequency of such procedures transforms an apparently low risk into a substantial and growing burden of infection. Nevertheless, the risk of PJIs is higher in revision procedures and in specific groups of patients. Indeed, in most developed countries, PJIs are considered a major public health problem.

PJI is a paradigm of biofilm-associated infection. The presence of biofilm influences and complicates the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PJI. Eradication of the infection requires surgery and antimicrobial therapy. Close collaboration between all medical and surgical specialists involved is a critical component of the care of patients with PJI.

In this complex scenario, despite the considerable amount of research conducted in recent decades on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of PJIs, many questions remain unanswered. Indeed, most recommendations in this area are based on expert opinion due to the limitations of the available information.

This Special Issue aimed to advance knowledge and broaden our perspectives on the prevention, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of PJI.

> **Natividad Benito, Oscar Murillo, and Jaime Lora-Tamayo ´** *Editors*
