Aspergillus terreus as a cause of septic olecranon bursitis

A 72-year-old, non-insulin-dependent diabetic man with a 2-month history of painful right olecranon bursitis was examined after a fall on the sidewalk that resulted in some abrasion of the skin overlying the elbow. Fluid aspirated from the bursa showed growth of Aspergillus terreus, as did tissue from a bursectomy performed 1 week later. Septic bursitis is an uncommon disease that is nearly always caused by Staphylococcus aureus or hemolytic streptococci. Mycotic bursitis is very rare and this is the first reported instance of any Aspergillus species causing septic bursitis.