Septic arthritis in a native joint due to Anaerococcus prevotii

J Clin Pathol. 2008 Jun;61(6):775-6. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2007.053421. Epub 2008 Mar 14.

Abstract

A 37-year-old injecting drug user presented with signs and symptoms of septic arthritis. Staphylococcus aureus was grown from his blood cultures. Despite treatment with flucloxacillin and fusidic acid his condition continued to deteriorate. Echocardiography showed no signs of endocarditis. Culture of his knee aspirate grew Anaerococcus prevotii after 5 days of incubation. Metronidazole was added to his treatment regime. A collection of pus (800 ml) was drained from the right thigh and A prevotii was isolated. His condition improved gradually and he was subsequently transferred to a drug rehabilitation unit after completing his antibiotic course. The importance of anaerobic streptococci in septic arthritis, as a very rare cause, is highlighted.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Bacteria, Anaerobic / isolation & purification*
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Floxacillin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Floxacillin