Septic polyarthritis in a hemophiliac

A first report in the English literature of septic polyarthritis in a hemophiliac is reported. The patient was a 40-year-old man with classic hemophilia and an inhibitor who developed S. aureus bacteremia and multiple septic joints. The previous 4 cases with single septic joints are discussed with regard to therapy and relation to underlying joint disease and presence of antibodies to Factor VIII. Awareness that infection can occur in hemophiliacs should prompt aspiration and bacteriologic study of suspicious hemarthrotic joints.