title: Covert multi-focal infective arthritis.
abstract: Six patients with pre-existing rheumatic joint disease presented with overwhelming septicaemia but without overt signs of joint inflammation. Joint aspirates demonstrated multifocal staphylococcal infective arthritis. Despite intensive care all six died from the infection or its immediate sequelae. The contrast between this clinical entity and classical infective arthritis, presenting with one or more swollen, tender joints, is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, St Thomas' Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pitkin
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Eykyn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification