Septic Arthritis
(Infectious Arthritis)
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
What is septic arthritis?
Septic, or infectious, arthritis is infection of one or more joints by
microorganisms. Normally, the joint is lubricated with a small amount of fluid
that is referred to as synovial fluid or joint fluid. The normal joint fluid is
sterile and, if removed and cultured in the laboratory, no microbes will be
found. With septic arthritis, microbes are identifiable in an affected joint fluid.
Most commonly, septic arthritis affects a single joint, but occasionally more
joints are involved. The joints affected vary somewhat depending on the microbe
causing the infection and the predisposing risk factors of the person affected.
Septic arthritis is also called infectious arthritis.
What microbes cause septic arthritis?
Septic arthritis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most
common causes of septic arthritis are bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus
and Haemophilus influenzae. In certain "high-risk" individuals, other bacteria
may cause septic arthritis, such as E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. in intravenous
drug abusers and the elderly, Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually active young
adults, and Salmonella spp. in young children or in people with sickle cell
disease. Other bacteria that can cause septic arthritis include Mycobacterium
tuberculosis and the spirochete bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
Viruses that can cause septic arthritis include hepatitis A, B, and C,
parvovirus B19, herpes viruses, HIV (AIDS virus), HTLV-1, adenovirus, coxsackie
viruses, mumps, and ebola. Fungi that can cause septic arthritis include
histoplasma, coccidiomyces, and blastomyces.
Next: Who is at risk of developing septic arthritis? »
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