Musculoskeletal infections: selected cases from a referral hospital in Mumbai

Abstract

Musculoskeletal infections involving bones, joints and muscles are not uncommon and are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Infections could be due to a whole spectrum of pathogenic organisms with gram-positive cocci at one end to mycobacteria and fungi at the other end. Further, organisms have varying degrees of resistance. Of paramount importance in diagnostic work up in isolation of organisms are proper selection, collection, and transport of specimens. Often, musculoskeletal infections are deep seated infections with diverse aetiologies and variable presentation. These may present as acute, subacute or chronic indolent infections and are one of the most difficult to treat. To illustrate some of these facets, we describe three cases and discuss the issues related to the diagnosis and treatment.