Septic arthritis due to Arizona hinshawii

Arizona hinshawii, a gram negative bacillus which bears antigenic similarities to genus Salmonella is an uncommon cause of human disease. We report 3 patients who in an immunocompromised state developed septic arthritis due to Arizona hinshawii. Treatment with systemic antibiotics and repeated joint aspiration was successful. The infection was recurrent in 2 patients and 1 died of septicemia. Previous cases of Arizona hinshawii septic arthritis are reviewed.