Table 2.

Summary of the main studies investigating the role of serum and plasma biomarkers in predicting infection recurrence

Author (reference)	Patients (number)	Joint	Biomarker	Predictive role
Stambough JB [25]	300	Hip and knee	ESR and CRP	No
Klemt C [26]	198	Hip and knee	ESR and CRP	Yes (when both elevated)
Shahi A [27]	245	Hip and knee	D-dimer	Yes (higher than both CRP and ESR)
Li R [28]	565	Hip and knee	Fibrinogen	Yes
Li R [28]	565	Hip and knee	D-dimer	Low value
Li R [28]	565	Hip and knee	ESR and CRP	Yes
Tarabichi S [31]	114	Hip and knee	D-dimer	Yes (higher than both CRP and ESR)
Pannu TS [32]	53	Hip and knee	D-dimer	Yes (higher when combined with ESR/CRP)