title: Group F Streptococcus. An unusual cause of arthritis.
abstract: Bacterial arthritis is a serious infection in children occurring either as the result of direct inoculation of organisms into the joint space, of spreading from a contiguous focus of infection, or of hematogenous seeding of the synovium. Although the etiologic agent can be identified in 60% to 70% of cases, joint fluid cultures may remain negative in a substantial number of patients. The most likely etiologic agent depends both on the route of infection and the age of the child. Overall Staphylococcus aureus, Hemophilus influenzae type b and streptococci are the leading causes of bacterial arthritis. Lancefield groups A, B, C, D, and G have all been implicated. However, septic arthritis due to hematogenous seeding with Group F Streptococcus has not been previously reported. A normal 10-month-old boy presented with acute monoarticular arthritis of the knee and had Group F Streptococcus isolated from the blood. Antimicrobial therapy resulted in complete resolution of the arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013291:Streptococcus