Case Of Septic Arthritis Research Articles

ACUTE DESTRUCTIVE HIP SEPTIC ARTHRITIS IN A YOUNG ADULT PATIENT: CASE REPORT (v2)

The Authors describe a case of rapid right hip destructive septic arthritis in a 50-year-old male patient with no previous noteworthy medical history. Patient arrived to our attention following a one week history of right hip pain. Laboratory markers and imaging at presentation were negative. However, on a follow-up examination significant joint effusion was noted and joint tap was performed. Despite wide spectrum antibiotic therapy institution, significant joint damage was observed. This required surgical femoral head excision with antibiotic loaded spacer, followed by hip arthroplasty surgery 12 weeks afterwards. Complete healing of the infection and recovery of pain-free joint motion was noted at 1 year follow-up.

The role of pre operative appendicular magnetic resonance imaging in cases of acute bone and joint infection in the paediatric age group

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Acute haemotogenous osteomyelitis can occur at any age group but is mainly a disease of children. They are a challenge to differentiate as they have overlapping signs and symptoms. Septic arthritis is considered a surgical emergency while acute osteomyelitis, when presented early can be treated with parenteral antibiotics. There is paucity in the approach (imaging guidelines and treatment) for cases where acute septic arthritis is associated with osteomyelitis. We aimed to analyses the role of pre operative appendicular MRI in the cases of acute bone and joint infection in paediatric age group.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This is a prospective study done in 38 children suspected to have acute bone and joint infections. All the patients underwent emergency appendicular MRI in the suspicion of bone and joint infections. Based on the MRI findings, all the patients were classified into cases of isolated septic arthritis and cases of septic arthritis with concomitant osteomyelitis. There was a change in the treatment modality between the two categories of patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our study 14 (36.84%) cases of the 38 suspected bone and joint infection had concomitant osteomyelitis with septic arthritis. These 14 cases were seen involving the knee, hip, elbow and shoulder joints. The incidence of septic arthritis with coexisting osteomyelitis was 36.84% in our study, which was diagnosed with pre operative emergency appendicular MRI.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study concludes that MRI should be included in the work up for suspected bone and joint infections provided MRI is done in a timely fashion without unnecessarily delaying surgical intervention if needed.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

Analysis of clinical features and poor prognostic factors of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics, pathogenic bacteria, complications and risk factors of prognosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children. Methods: The clinical manifestations, laboratorg tests, etiological charateristics and clinical data of 107 patients with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the drug sensitivity results of Staphylococcus aureus, the group was divided into methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) group; according to the presence or absence of complications, the group was divided into the group with and without complications; according to the prognosis of the follow-up children, the group was divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis. The χ2 test or Mann-Whitney U test used for comparison between groups, and Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for complications and prognosis. Results: Of the 107 patients, 62 were males and 45 were females. The age of presentation was 5.6 (1.7, 10.0) years, including 5 patients (4.7%) age from >28 days to 3 months, 46 patients (43.0%) age from >3 months to 5 years, 43 patients (40.2%)>5-12 years of age, and 13 patients (12.1%)>12-18 years of age. The first symptoms were acute fever in 35 patients (32.7%), limb pain in 24 patients (22.4%), and fever with limb pain in 23 patients (21.5%). Pathogen culture was positive in 75 patients (70.1%), Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli in 1 case (1.4%) each, and Staphylococcus aureus in 72 cases (96.0%), among them, 47 cases were MSSA, 22 cases were MRSA, and 3 cases had positive reports of Staphylococcus aureus from other hospitals without drug-sensitive tests. The proportion of infected children living in rural areas and receiving surgical treatment was higher in the MRSA group than in the MSSA group (14 cases (63.6%) vs. 18 cases (38.3%) and 21 cases (95.5%) vs. 33 cases (70.2%), χ2=3.87, 4.23, both P<0.05). Sixty-five children had no complications while 42 children (39.3%) suffered from complications. Common complications consisted of 19 cases (17.8%) of sepsis, 17 cases (15.9%) of septic arthritis, and 12 cases (11.2%) of venous thrombosis. The group with complications showed higher mental changes, decreased appetite and (or) weakness, positive pathogenic cultures, and time from admission to surgery than the group without complications (18 cases (42.9%) vs. 9 cases (13.8%), 20 cases (47.6%) vs. 12 cases (18.5%), 34 cases (81.0%) vs. 41 cases (63.1%), 3.5 (2.0, 6.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) d,χ2=11.38, 10.35, 3.89, Z=2.21, all P<0.05). The poor prognosis group had more comorbidities, combined local complications, and positive aureus than the good prognosis group (10/15 vs. 34.9% (30/86), 7/15 vs. 17.4% (15/86), 14/15 vs. 61.6% (53/86), χ2=5.39, 6.40, 4.42, all P<0.05). Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that acute phase C-reactive protein (CRP) was both an independent risk factor for complications (OR=1.01, 95%CI 1.01-1.02) and an independent risk factor for poor prognosis (OR=1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.02). Conclusions: The first symptoms of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis are acute fever, limb pain, and fever with limb pain are most common. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogenic organism. Those with loss of appetite and (or) weakness, mental changes, positive pathogenic cultures, and longer time between admission and surgery are prone to complications. Those with complications, combined local complications, and positive for Staphylococcus aureus had a poor prognosis. Elevated CRP is an independent risk factor not only for complications but for poor prognosis as well.

An analysis of Neisseria meningitidis strains causing meningococcal septic arthritis in England and Wales: 2010–2020

To analyze clinical meningococcal strains associated with meningococcal septic arthritis cases in England and Wales, and to identify associations between patient age, the synovial joint affected and strain characteristics. IMD cases confirmed by the Meningococcal Reference Unit (UK Health Security Agency) between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Septic arthritis cases were defined as those featuring detection and/or isolation of N. meningitidis from an articular site. Capsular grouping was performed by serology on clinical isolates and/or real-time PCR on clinical samples. We identified 162 cases of meningococcal septic arthritis, representing 2% of all invasive meningococcal disease cases during the study period. The knee and the hip were the most commonly affected joints, with the former significantly more frequent in adults and the latter seen more commonly in children and adolescents. Group B strains were between 2 and 6 times less likely to cause septic arthritis in relation to groups W, C and Y strains. Meningococcal septic arthritis remains a rare manifestation of invasive meningococcal disease. Strain and age associations identified in this study remain unexplained. Future analyzes including clinical case information may help to explain these findings.

A case of septic arthritis of the elbow joint in rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed by arthroscopic synovectomy.

We report a case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) septic arthritis of the elbow detected by arthroscopic synovectomy in an 81-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who was initially diagnosed with a rheumatoid arthritis flare-up. The patient was administered abatacept, an antirheumatic biological agent, as the synovial fluid culture was negative. Destruction of the joint progressed despite medication, and the patient underwent arthroscopic synovectomy. MRSA was detected in the culture of the synovium that was collected intraoperatively, and septic arthritis was diagnosed. The infection subsided with anti-MRSA antibiotics, but the patient continued to experience moderate pain and limited motion. In RA patients, it might be difficult to differentiate minor findings from infection. Arthroscopic synovectomy is one of the selectable procedures that should be actively considered when infection is suspected.

Gonococcal arthritis: case series of 58 hospital cases.

Extra-genital manifestations of gonococcal infection are rare (0.5-3%). Among them, gonococcal arthritis (GA) is the most frequent, accounting for 30-90% of disseminated infections. Our study aimed to describe all hospital cases of GA in Reunion Island, a French overseas territory. We conducted a retrospective, multicentric, observational study of all cases of certain, probable or possible GA from 2008 to 2020. We identified 58 cases of GA, mostly certain cases (n = 48). Sex ratio was balanced, but men were older than women (51 vs 27years, p < 0.001). A total of 41% had travelled abroad during the previous 3months, mostly in Madagascar or South-East Asia. The most frequently infected joint was the knee, followed by ankle, wrist and fingers or carpal joints. Only 16% of cases had genital symptoms, but 50% had another extra-genital manifestation, mainly skin lesions (40%). Positivity rate of joint puncture was 91%, with a purulent liquid. Only 58% had a positive culture, and 33% had only a positive PCR. There was no 3GC-resistant strain. In comparison with gonococcal infection without arthritis, patients were older and had fewer genital but more extra-genital symptoms. On discharge 60% had persistent articular symptoms. GA represented 18% of all hospitalised septic arthritis cases with microbial identification in 2019. GA is rare but it is important to make an early diagnosis and treat promptly, as joint destruction may be important, leading to persistent symptoms after discharge. PCR use in joint puncture is useful in cases with negative culture.

Early diagnosis and treatment of acute brucellosis knee arthritis complicated by acute osteomyelitis: two cases report

BackgroundBrucellosis is an endemic systemic infectious disease, the most common complication is bone and joint involvement. Sacroiliac joint and spinal joint are the most frequently involved sites in adults, but knee joint infection is rare, and acute infectious knee arthritis complicated by acute osteomyelitis is even extremely uncommon in adults. Here, we report two cases of acute septic knee arthritis complicated by acute osteomyelitis caused by Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis).Case presentationBoth patients had a history of traveling in animal husbandry areas within three months. On clinical examination, their right knee joint was tender, swollen, had limited movement and an effusion was present. Imaging examination showed effusion and synovial thickening of the right knee joint, as well as subchondral bone edema of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Laboratory examination showed that the serum agglutination test (SAT) in both patients were positive (1: 640 and 1: 320) without leukocytosis, although the proportion of lymphocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) significantly increased. Both patients underwent knee joint aspiration. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) analysis of synovial fluid showed that there was B. melitensis, and blood bacterial culture was negative. We determined that two patients had acute brucellosis knee arthritis complicated by acute osteomyelitis. Antibiotic treatment was given during hospitalization consisting of doxycycline (0.1 g po bid) and rifampicin (0.6 g po qd) for six weeks, and the changes of inflammatory indexes were closely monitored. At discharge, the symptoms had completely resolved, imaging abnormalities disappeared, and inflammatory indexes returned to normal. There was no recurrence of the disease at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionAcute brucellosis knee arthritis complicated by acute osteomyelitis is a rare but serious complication of brucellosis in adults. There is no obvious specificity of clinical manifestation and imaging examination. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the occurrence of knee joint deformity and even pathological fracture. Clinicians should fully consider the possibility of brucellosis where the travel or occupational history is suggestive.

A Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Developed Pasteurella Multocida Arthritis Without Animal Contact; Case Report

Pasteurella species are immobile, non-sporeless, gram-negative coccobacilli that can be found in the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract flora of pets and can cause various infections with cat-dog bites. While it usually causes cellulitis and abscesses, clinical pictures such as septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, sepsis and meningitis can also be seen in immunosuppressed patients. Here, a case of septic arthritis due to Pasteurella multocida, which developed in the left shoulder joint of a 70-year-old female patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, without animal contact or trauma, is presented in the light of the literature.

Paediatric Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis Pathogen Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance in a Single Centre: A 15-Year Retrospective Analysis.

The epidemiological characteristics of the common pathogens underlying acute haematogenous osteoarticular infection (AHOI) and their resistance to drugs have temporal and regional differences. To determine the antimicrobial treatment most effective for culture-negative AHOI patients and those without bacterial cultures. Retrospective analysis of clinical data of children with AHOI who were culture positive from January 2007 to December 2021. And the distribution of the main pathogens and the drug resistance Staphylococcus aureus were analysed in different time periods, age groups and infection types. A total of 188 cases met the inclusion criteria, including 97 cases of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO), 75 cases of septic arthritis (SA) and 16 cases of AHO concomitant with SA. The commonest causative pathogen in local children was S. aureus of Gram-positive cocci, followed by Streptococcus, and occasionally Gram-negative bacilli. The distribution of S. aureus had no significant correlation with age or infection type. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 81.82%, 90.91% and 96.15% of all pathogens, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) accounted for 24.22%, 53.33% and 76.00% of S. aureus in 2007-11, 2012-16 and 2017-21, respectively. The frequency of MRSA infection showed an increasing trend over time. Staphylococcus aureus is still the main pathogen of AHOI in local children. The proportion of MRSA in S. aureus has also increased over time to 76% in the last 5 years, and the increased proportion of MRSA can affect the choice of initial empirical medication.

Benefits of diffusion-weighted imaging in pediatric acute osteoarticular infections

BackgroundContrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended for the diagnosis of acute osteoarticular infections in children. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) may be an alternative to the injection of gadolinium.ObjectiveTo evaluate unenhanced MRI with DWI in comparison to contrast-enhanced MRI for the diagnostic work-up of acute osteoarticular infections in children.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 36 children (age range: 7 months-12 years) with extra-spinal osteoarticular infections and MRI performed within 24 h of admission. MRI protocol included short tau inversion recovery (STIR), water-only T2 Dixon, T1, DWI, and gadolinium-enhanced T1 sequences. Two readers reviewed three sets of images: 1) unenhanced sequences, 2) unenhanced sequences with DWI and 3) unenhanced followed by contrast-enhanced sequences (reference standard). Sensitivity and specificity of sets 1 and 2 were compared to set 3 and assessed to identify osteoarticular infections: osteomyelitis (long bones, metaphyseal equivalents), septic arthritis and abscess (soft tissues, bone).ResultsAll 14 cases of osteomyelitis in the metaphyses and diaphyses of long bones and all 27 cases of septic arthritis were identified by unenhanced sequences, but 4/16 abscesses were missed. For the diagnosis of abscess, DWI increased sensitivity to 100%. Among the 18 osteomyelitis in metaphyseal equivalents, 4 femoral head chondroepiphyses were identified by contrast-enhanced sequences only.ConclusionMRI for suspected pediatric acute osteoarticular infections is the best diagnostic modality to guide patient management. An unenhanced protocol with DWI may be an alternative to a contrast-based protocol, even in the presence of an abscess. However, gadolinium remains necessary to assess for chondroepiphyseal involvement of the femoral head.

The first case report of thorn-induced Alternaria alternata infection of the hand in an immunocompetent host

BackgroundFungal infection secondary to a penetrating plant thorn injury in upper extremities is infrequently reported especially in immunocompetent hosts. Alternaria is a dematicaceous hyphomycete, commonly found in decay and plant pathogens, and Alternaria alternata has been regarded as the most frequent species among more than 400 s of its species. This case is the first report of thorn-induced Alternaria alternata infection of the hand in an immunocompetent host.Case presentationA 47-year-old male patient was admitted to our institution with persistent pain and swelling of the right hand even after a prior surgical removal of a previous thorn injury. Upon impression of abscess, chronic extensor tenosynovitis, and septic arthritis at the 3rd metacarpophalangeal joint based on advanced imaging, the patient underwent surgical incision and drainage. Intraoperative culture, biopsy, and gene molecular sequencing results revealed fungal infection with Alternaria alternata. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with oral itraconazole (200 mg q 12 h) for nine consecutive months.ConclusionsWe report the first case of chronic extensor tenosynovitis and septic arthritis of the hand with Alternaria alternata after a thorn injury in an immunocompetent host. Despite rare incidences of fungal extensor tenosynovitis and septic arthritis, the current case strongly suggests a careful examination of social history and surgical debridement along with a prolonged use of appropriate anti-fungal agents in thorn injuries.

The Use of Biomarkers in the Early Diagnosis of Septic Arthritis and Osteomyelitis-A Pilot Study.

The diagnosis of septic arthritis (SA) and osteomyelitis (OM) has remained challenging in the pediatric population, often accompanied by delays and requiring invasive interventions. The purpose of this pilot study is to identify a novel panel of biomarkers and cytokines that can accurately differentiate SA and OM at initial presentation using serum alone. Twenty patients below 18 years old whose working diagnosis included SA (n=10) and OM (n=10) were identified. Serum was collected at initial evaluation. Each sample underwent seven ELISA [C1-C2, COMP, CS-846, hyaluronan, procalcitonin, PIIANP, C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II)] and 65-plex cytokine panels. Principal component and Lasso regression analysis were performed to identify a limited set of predictive biomarkers. Mean age was 4.7 and 9.5 years in SA and OM patients, respectively (P=0.029). 50% of SA patients presented within 24 hours of symptom onset, compared with 0% of OM patients (P=0.033). 30% of SA patients were discharged home with an incorrect diagnosis and re-presented to the emergency department days later. At time of presentation: temperature ≥38.5°C was present in 10% of SA and 40% of OM patients (P=0.12), mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/h) was 51.6 in SA and 44.9 in OM patients (P=0.63), mean C-reactive protein (mg/dL) was 55.8 in SA and 71.8 in OM patients (P=0.53), and mean white blood cells (K/mm3) was 12.5 in SA and 10.4 in OM patients (P=0.34). 90% of SA patients presented with ≤2 of the Kocher criteria. 100% of SA and 40% of OM patients underwent surgery. 70% of SA cultures were culture negative, 10% MSSA, 10% Kingella, and 10% Strep pyogenes. 40% of OM cultures were culture negative, 50% MSSA, and 10% MRSA. Four biomarkers [CTx-II, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), B cell-attracting chemokine 1] were identified that were able to classify and differentiate 18 of the 20 SA and OM cases correctly, with 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity. This pilot study identifies a panel of biomarkers that can differentiate between SA and OM at initial presentation using serum alone. Level II-diagnostic study.

80 “To Freeze or Not to Freeze, That Is the Question”: A Case of Septic Arthritis in a Finger Resulting from Cryotherapy for Warts

Abstract Aim Cryotherapy is a common treatment for a variety of skin conditions; however, it has to be performed with care due to the risks of inadvertent tissue damage including burns, damage to healthy tissue, and scarring. We report on the first case of septic arthritis developing post cryotherapy to a digit. Method A 57yr-old female retired podiatrist who five days prior received cryotherapy, by a Dermatologist, for a long standing presumed viral wart on the dorsum of her hand. Results septic arthritis to the distal interphalangeal joint. Conclusions -The delicate skin and tissues over the dorsum of the fingers and hand can result in significant trauma. Care must be exercised in these areas to prevent full-thickness wounds that involve the joint and result in septic arthritis and functional disability.

Septic arthritis of the hip joint by Salmonella typhi; A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a case of septic arthritis of hip joint in a 10-year-old boy with enteric fever. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by Salmonella typhi isolation from joint aspirate obtained by FNAC. Treatment with intravascular Imipenem injections was successful. Keywords: Salmonella typhi, septic arthritis, hip joint

A case report on the septic arthritis in a newborn: therapeutic approaches and major considerations

Introduction: The prevalence of septic arthritis (SA) is higher in underdeveloped countries than in developed countries, and the number of hospitalizations of children for this cause is decreasing and the most prevalent age group is between 0 and 4 years of age. Clinical history and detailed physical examination are essential to make an accurate diagnosis, but the neonatal period has certain limitations. Objective: To report a case of septic arthritis that occurred in a newborn admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to its serious condition, morbidity, and unusual evolution of the pathology in the pediatric population, scarcity of epidemiological data on the subject, still aiming address aspects of the treatment of the disease. Case report: Male patient, born on 09/11/2020 at Santa Casa de Tupã, Sao Paulo, with a gestational age of 36 weeks and 6 days, through cesarean delivery and without complications, obtaining APGAR 9 and 10, and maintained in a room with the mother. The morning after birth, the newborn (NB) began to groan and have mild respiratory distress. The patient evolved with worsening of the breathing pattern and oxygen was concentrated at 6L/min in Hood's Halo, presenting hyperthermia, hyperemia, and edema in the right elbow. Laboratory tests showed an increase in C-Reactive Protein and worsened hematimetric indices of the blood count, and antibiotic therapy was then started with oxacillin 50 mg/kg/dose and amikacin 15 mg/kg/day. The ultrasound of the right elbow showed skin thickening, absence of collections, and no changes in vasculature, being suggestive of cellulite. A new ultrasound of the right elbow showed bulging, intra-articular collection, and discreet collection with extra-articular communication in the medial region, being suggestive of septic arthritis. Blood culture collection resulted in the growth of gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus) in a pair of samples. The patient received intravenous treatment with Vancomycin for 14 days with clinical and laboratory improvement of the infection and was discharged with the use of oral Clindamycin for another 14 days and physical therapy follow-up for rehabilitation of movement of the affected limb. Final considerations: Due to the unusual evolution of SA in the neonatal period, and the scarcity of literature on the pathology in this age group, the importance of further studies on the subject, and greater surveillance for neonatal diagnosis, in addition to early treatment to reduce of complications.

Case report: 50–year–old male with invasive aspergillosis of the native knee joint

Septic arthritis is a disabling arthritis that destroys cartilage and joints due to infective inflammation. Early and prompt diagnosis is required to ensure an optimal outcome. Septic arthritis secondary to fungal aetiology is rare; commonly seen in immunocompromised and post-arthroplasty patients. We present a rare case of spontaneous fungal septic arthritis in a 50-year-old male, with imaging and laboratory features of the same.

Lyme Arthritis in the Pediatric Knee: Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Differentiators.

The medical records and MRI scans of children who presented between 2009 and 2019 with an acute knee effusion ultimately diagnosed as LA or SA were retrospectively reviewed. Data collection included clinical information on the modified Kocher criteria (weight-bearing, fever, blood serology including white blood-cell [WBC] count, C-reactive protein [CRP], and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]), MRI findings, and serology confirmation of LA or bacterial SA. A total of 87 cases of confirmed LA and 9 cases of SA were identified. The 2 cohorts had substantial clinical overlap with regard to the ability to bear weight, fever, and joint aspirate WBC count. Differences between the 2 groups in several MRI characteristics, specifically vastus lateralis myositis, subcutaneous edema, and lymphadenopathy, were significant. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that weight-bearing, CRP of <3 mg/L, absence of subcutaneous edema, myositis of multiple muscles including the vastus lateralis, and lymphadenopathy were predictive of LA. LA should be strongly suspected in endemic areas of the United States when children present with a knee effusion. The addition of MRI criteria to clinical and laboratory findings significantly improved the predictive value for identifying LA. Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pulmonary tuberculosis and Cryptococcal native knee septic arthritis with osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient: Mycobacterial effect on CD4 function and cellular immunity

Clinically significant cryptococcal disease is typically seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, Cryptococcosis has also been observed among non-HIV immunocompromised hosts. Cryptococcosis and tuberculosis (TB) infections both occur due to impaired cell mediated immunity but co-infection is rare among immunocompromised patients. Co-infection of these pathogens is even less reported in immunocompetent hosts. We present a case of Cryptococcal left native knee septic arthritis with tibial osteomyelitis in an HIV negative patient with recently active tuberculosis.

A comparison of tuberculous and bacterial native joint septic arthritis infections in a retrospective cohort: Presentation characteristics, outcomes and long term follow up

• Patients with bacterial versus tuberculous septic arthritis had significantly higher CRP levels and neutrophil counts. • A CRP level above 100 mg/L conferred an odds ratio of 46 for bacterial infection. • 51% of bacterial septic arthritis cases were asymptomatic at last follow up compared to 72% of tuberculous cases. This retrospective observational cohort study aimed to characterise and compare the demographics, initial laboratory tests and outcomes between patients with large-joint bacterial septic arthritis (BSA) and tuberculous septic arthritis (TBSA). All patients with a culture from a large, native joint growing either non-mycobacterial bacteria or Mycobacterium tuberculosis between 1 January 2012 and 1 October 2018 in our institution were included. Clinical details and admission laboratory values were obtained from patient records. Comparisons were made by Mann-Whitney U, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression analysis. We identified 64 BSA and 29 TBSA. On average, the BSA cases were older, had higher CRP levels and neutrophil counts and lower albumin levels. The odds ratio for having a BSA was 46 in cases with a CRP greater than 100 mg/L (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.5–850, p < 0.001) and 24 with a neutrophil count greater than 7.5x10 9 (95% CI 6.1–160, p < 0.001). 51% of BSA were asymptomatic at last follow up compared to 72% of TBSA. 14% of the BSA cases died during admission; there were no deaths in the TBSA group. Significant differences exist between patients with BSA and TBSA. Whilst no test is sufficient to exclude BSA, a raised neutrophil count or a CRP greater than 100 mg/L significantly increases the odds of a bacterial aetiology. Patients with BSA had worse long-term outcomes and higher incidence of inpatient mortality.

Native Joint Infections by Aspergillus Species.

Background: Septic arthritis due to Aspergillus spp. represents a rare, but severe disease. Nevertheless, clear guidelines regarding most effective medical treatment have not yet been established. The present study is a literature review of all reported cases of fungal septic arthritis due to Aspergillus spp, in order to clarify epidemiology, as well as the medical and operative management and their outcome. Methods: A meticulous review of all published septic arthritis infections due to Aspergillus has been conducted. Information regarding demographics, causative fungus, antifungal treatment (AFT), surgical intervention, as well as the infection’s outcome were recorded and evaluated. Results: A total of 30 Aspergillus spp. strains from 29 hosts have been studied. The patients’ mean age was 45.8 years. The most commonly affected joint was the knee (45.7%), while the predominant symptom was joint pain (62%). Most patients were immunocompromised (72.4%). Diagnosis was established through cultures and/or histopathology. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common responsible fungi (63.3%), followed by A. flavus (16.6%) and A. terreus (10%). Regarding AFT, the preferred agent proved to be Amphotericin B (14 cases; 48.3%), followed by voriconazole (11; 37.9%), while the mean AFT duration was 5.6 months. In most cases surgical treatment was also performed (in 4 cases no surgery was reported). Treatment was effective in 20 cases (69%). Conclusions: Septic arthritis caused by Aspergillus spp. represents a severe clinical entity. It seems that, with the available data, prolonged AFT along with surgical intervention is the preferred management of this infection, while identification of the responsible fungus is of utmost importance.