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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
04:50

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain

Published on: May 16, 2025

Acupuncture-associated Listeria monocytogenes arthritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Chiung-Hsi Tien1, Guo-Shu Huang, Chi-Ching Chang

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology and Allergy, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No 325, Section 2, Cheng-Kung Road, Neihu 114, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Joint Bone Spine
|May 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Septic arthritis is a rare risk of acupuncture. This case study shows a rheumatoid arthritis patient developing Listeria monocytogenes knee infection after acupuncture, successfully treated with antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Acupuncture

Background:

  • Septic arthritis is a serious joint infection.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis patients may have increased infection risk.
  • Acupuncture is an alternative therapy with rare infectious complications.

Observation:

  • A rheumatoid arthritis patient underwent weekly acupuncture for 3 weeks.
  • The patient developed septic arthritis in the right knee.
  • Musculoskeletal sonography and MRI confirmed the joint infection.

Findings:

  • Synovial fluid culture identified Listeria monocytogenes as the causative agent.
  • The patient received antibiotic treatment for the infection.
  • Joint mobility was restored after successful treatment.

Implications:

  • Acupuncture-induced septic arthritis is a rare but significant concern in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for joint infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing acupuncture.

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