title: Comparison of nonseptic and septic bursitis. Further observations on the treatment of septic bursitis.
abstract: Of 30 cases of olecranon and prepatellar bursitis, ten were septic. Fever, tenderness, peribursal cellulitis, and skin involvement over the bursa were more common in the septic cases. A high leukocyte count, low bursal-to-serum glucose ratio, and positive Gram-stained smear of the bursal fluid distinguished septic from nonseptic bursitis. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout may be accompanied by nonseptic bursitis. Septic bursitis may be associated with a sympathetic sterile effusion in a neighboring joint or adjacent fascial space. The duration of antibiotic treatment necessary to sterilize bursal fluid was proportional to the length of time infection had been present. A prospective antibiotic program disclosed an average of 12 days for successful therapy. A bactericidal agent against penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the drug of choice.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002062:Bursitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010068:Oxacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004917:Erythromycin; D010068:Oxacillin