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[Septic arthritis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae]
J M Sánchez Granados1, A Malalana Martínez, M I González Tomé
1Sección de Inmunodeficiencias, Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Materno-Infantil 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Anales Espanoles De Pediatria
|February 28, 2002
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of septic arthritis, primarily affecting young children. Early diagnosis and treatment of pneumococcal arthritis, particularly in the hip, lead to good outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Microbiology
Context:
- Septic arthritis is a serious joint infection.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is an infrequent cause of septic arthritis.
- Understanding pneumococcal arthritis is crucial for pediatric care.
Purpose:
- To describe the clinical experience with Streptococcus pneumoniae causing septic arthritis.
- To analyze the characteristics, diagnosis, and outcomes of pneumococcal arthritis cases.
- To highlight the importance of considering S. pneumoniae in pediatric septic arthritis.
Summary:
- Five cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae septic arthritis were identified over 14 years, representing 12.8% of all septic arthritis cases.
- The affected patients were predominantly children under 15 months, with hip involvement being most common.
- Diagnosis was confirmed via blood and synovial fluid cultures, and urine antigen detection. Some strains showed penicillin resistance but remained susceptible to cefotaxime.
Impact:
- S. pneumoniae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of septic arthritis, especially in young children.
- Joint fluid culture offers the highest diagnostic yield for pneumococcal arthritis.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of pneumococcal arthritis result in favorable patient prognoses without sequelae.