[Does septic arthritis occur in human immunodeficiency virus infection?]

No prospective, longitudinal, cohort studies comparing septic arthritis in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals belonging to the various risk factor groups for HIV-infection are available. However, a review of the literature provided information on the main features of pyarthrosis in HIV-infected patients. The clinical and microbiological characteristics, as well as the outcome of this rare complication, vary with the risk factor group and with the severity of the immune deficiency. Pyogenic bacteria are the most common causative agents and should be looked for routinely since they usually respond well to antimicrobial therapy.