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Septic arthritis due to Histoplasma capsulatum in a leukaemic patient
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|February 1, 1985
Abstract:
A case of septic, histoplasmal monoarthritis of the knee in a leukaemic patient is described. Ketoconazole therapy failed to eliminate the infection, but after histoplasmosis was diagnosed prolonged therapy with amphotericin B was curative.
Insights
A leukaemic patient experienced knee joint infection caused by histoplasmosis. Antifungal treatment with amphotericin B successfully cured the infection after ketoconazole failed.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Leukemia compromises the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
- Septic arthritis requires prompt diagnosis and effective antimicrobial therapy.
- Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that can disseminate in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A patient with leukemia presented with septic monoarthritis of the knee.
- Initial treatment with ketoconazole was ineffective in clearing the fungal infection.
- Diagnosis of histoplasmosis was established.
Findings:
- Prolonged therapy with amphotericin B proved curative for histoplasmal monoarthritis.
- Amphotericin B demonstrated efficacy in treating disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompromised host.
- Ketoconazole was insufficient for treating this severe fungal joint infection.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering fungal infections like histoplasmosis in leukaemic patients with joint inflammation.
- Effective management of disseminated histoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients may require amphotericin B.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment outcomes in opportunistic fungal infections.