Septic arthritis is an infection of 1 or more joints that is evolved by microorganisms. Generally the joints are lubricated with some fluid which is often called synovial fluid and in other words joint fluid. Actually normal joint fluid is sterile, if to remove some of joint fluid and culture it in the lab you won’t find any microbes there. In case of septic arthritis, in the areas where joint fluid is infected microbes can be detected.
Generally septic arthritis hits one joint, though sometimes more joints can be involved. The affected joints differ depending on the type of microbe provoking this infection and predisposing risks of the individual affected. We should mention also that septic arthritis is named infectious arthritis as well.
Septic arthritis as a rule is provoked by fungi, viruses and bacteria. Most general factors causing septic arthritis include bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus. Sometimes in some individuals that are at high risk other bacteria might also evolve septic arthritis. Among them there are Pseudomonas spp. and E. coli in particular in the elderly and intravenous drug abusers, Neisseria gonorrhoeae in young adults that are sexually active, also Salmonella spp. in young kids and sufferers of sickle cell disease. There are some other bacteria which provoke septic arthritis like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spirochete bacteria causing Lyme disease.
As it was mentioned before some viruses can evolve septic arthritis. These are herpes viruses, HIV, parvovirus B19, hepatitis A, B and C, mumps, adenovirus, ebola, HTLV-1. Blastomyces, histoplasma and coccidiomyces are fungi which provoke septic arthritis.
Joint infection can strike humans without susceptible risks, though happens more often in the presence of particular risk factors. These include using drugs suppressing the immunity, injury, intravenous drug abuse, surgery, past joint disease, and such diseases as diabetes, immune deficiency disorders, rheumatic diseases, alcoholism, sickle cell disease. Individuals under these factors, if have any septic arthritis signs, ought to seek medical help.
People with arthritis often have joint pain, chills, fever, chills, stiffness, swelling, warmth and redness. Most often affected joints include large joints like hips, elbows, ankles and knees. In case of such microbes’ occurrence as Brucella spp., often atypical joints are affected like for instance sacroiliac joints.