title: Disseminated gonococcal infection.
abstract: The most frequent systemic complication of acute, untreated gonorrhea is disseminated infection, which develops in 0.5 to 3 percent of the more than 700,000 Americans infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae each year. The classic triad of features consists of dermatitis, tenosynovitis and migratory polyarthritis. Disseminated gonococcal infection is most common in young women but may develop in sexually active persons of any age. The diagnosis often is not suspected because the initial mucosal infection is frequently asymptomatic, providing no clue to an infectious etiology. Prompt identification and treatment are essential to prevent complications such as endocarditis, meningitis, perihepatitis and permanent joint damage.
authors.affiliation: Malcolm Grow U.S. Air Force Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kerle
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mascola
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins