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Acute meningococcal infection--a case of monoarthrosis

H P Walsh1, P J Dison, C A Hart

  • 1Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool.

The British Journal of Clinical Practice
|November 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Septic arthritis in infants can be caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Prompt treatment with antibiotics led to a full recovery in a six-month-old infant.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Septic arthritis is a serious joint infection that can lead to rapid cartilage destruction.
  • Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that can cause invasive diseases, including meningitis and sepsis.

Observation:

  • A six-month-old infant presented with septic arthritis of the right knee.
  • Purulent exudate from the knee joint yielded Neisseria meningitidis on culture.

Findings:

  • The infant had no other signs of meningococcal disease, such as meningitis or rash.
  • Treatment with benzyl penicillin and joint aspiration resulted in complete recovery.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering Neisseria meningitidis as a cause of septic arthritis in infants, even without systemic signs.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric septic arthritis.

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