title: Leucocyte esterase in the rapid diagnosis of paediatric septic arthritis.
abstract: Septic arthritis may affect any age group but is more common in the paediatric population. Infection is generally bacterial in nature. Prompt diagnosis is crucial, as delayed treatment is associated with lifelong joint dysfunction. A clinical history and application of Kocher's criteria may indicate that there is a septic arthritis. However, definitive diagnosis is made on culture of septic synovial fluid. The culture process can take over 24h for the initial culture to yield bacterial colonies. Leucocyte esterase is released by leucocytes at the site of an infection. We hypothesise that leucocyte esterase can be utilized in the rapid diagnosis of septic arthritis and shorten the time to decisive treatment whilst simultaneously decreasing unnecessary treatment of non-septic joints.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's University Hospital, Temple St., Dublin, Ireland. endagkelly@gmail.com
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cashman
mesh_terms: D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C021443:leukocyte esterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases