[Tuberculous septic polyarthritis caused by Mycobacterium bovis]

Infections due to Mycobacterium bovis have become uncommon. We report a case with polyarthritis and cutaneous nodules suggesting a rheumatic disease. This 61 year old male under corticosteroid therapy for asthma developed febrile arthritis of the right wrist and cutaneous nodules that resolved rapidly under treatment with penicillin M and an aminoglycoside. Six months later, he developed arthritis of the right wrist and both elbows, as well as infection of a right hip prosthesis. The left wrist and left knee were then affected concomitantly. The cutaneous nodules recurred. A giant cell granuloma without caseous necrosis was found upon examination of a biopsy specimen from a nodule. Granulomatous lesions with caseous necrosis were seen in a specimen of synovial membrane from the right wrist. Antituberculous treatment ensured resolution of the arthritides and nodules but failed to prevent loosening of the hip prosthesis. Acid-fast bacilli were found in the specimens taken during removal of the prosthesis. After three months, cultures of synovial membrane specimens from the knee grew Mycobacterium bovis.