Torchia MT, et al. - Researchers compared the cost-effectiveness of culture-based techniques vs next-generation sequencing (NGS) to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To determine cost-effectiveness from a societal perspective, they constructed a Markov, state-transition model projecting lifetime costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs). As per the results of the model, culture was not found to be cost-effective vs NGS. The pre-test probability of PJI and the performance traits of the NGS technology were mainly influencing the cost-effectiveness of NGS to diagnose PJI. Results thus emphasize reserving NGS for clinical contexts with a high pre-test probability of PJI.