Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
04:41
Knee Arthrocentesis in Adults
Published on: February 25, 2022
Bacterial septic arthritis in adults
Catherine J Mathews1, Vivienne C Weston, Adrian Jones
1Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South London Healthcare Trust, London, UK.
Lancet (London, England)
|March 9, 2010
Summary
Septic arthritis, a serious joint infection, is becoming more common and harder to treat due to antibiotic resistance. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing this medical emergency.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Rheumatology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Septic arthritis is a critical medical emergency with significant morbidity and mortality.
- The epidemiology of septic arthritis in adults is evolving, marked by increasing incidence and antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the changing epidemiology of septic arthritis in native joints of adults.
- To discuss risk factors, pathogenesis, and diagnostic and management strategies for septic arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review encompassing epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.
- Examination of host factors and bacterial virulence determinants in pathogenesis.
- Analysis of clinical diagnosis, investigations, and intervention strategies.
Main Results:
- Septic arthritis incidence is rising, with evolving antibiotic resistance patterns.
- Host factors (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-10) and bacterial factors influence pathogenesis.
- Timely medical and surgical interventions, including joint aspiration and appropriate antibiotics, are vital.
Conclusions:
- Management of septic arthritis is increasingly complex due to novel pathogens and antibiotic resistance.
- Research into animal models and patient data is illuminating pathogenesis and potential adjunctive therapies.
- Novel treatments such as corticosteroids, cytokine modulators, and bisphosphonates show promise.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:24Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...