Cartilage destruction in septic arthritis--electron microscopy and historical considerations

Light and electron microscopic investigations of joint cartilage in 13 cases of septic arthritis revealed sites of cartilaginous matrix infiltrated with polymorphonuclear granulocytes. This finding confirms rather unknown morphological works done by investigators on this diseases in the late 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Around neutrophils ultrastructural signs of direct chondrolytic activity were observed. In three cases bacteria were discovered inside the cartilaginous matrix. It is assumed that the invasion of polymorphonuclear granulocytes into the cartilaginous matrix is an important process in septic arthritis leading to cartilage destruction.