An unusual case of gonococcal arthritis of the finger.
Gonococcal arthritis is the most common acute septic arthritis in sexually active young adults. It is caused by the gram-negative diplococcus Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In 0.5-3% an untreated mucosal infection disseminates throughout the system and affects mostly big joints like the knee, elbows, and ankles. N. gonorrhoeae is a fragile microorganism which is difficult to culture. Penicillin resistance has developed worldwide in recent years, therefore, patients should be treated by a third generation Cephalosporin. In this article, we describe the unexpected finding of septic arthritis in the proximal interphalangeal joint of a 50-year-old patient. The septic arthritis was caused by N. gonorrhoeae.
Thomas
Susanne B
SB
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Unglaub
Frank
F
Dragu
Adrian
A
Gessner
André
A
Horch
Raymund E
RE
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005385:Fingers; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002443:Ceftriaxone