Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis: Urgent and emergent

A 71-year-old male rheumatoid patient presented with MRSA septic arthritis. The impact of this organism on musculoskeletal practice is discussed.     

The importance of the disease process and disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug treatment in the development of septic arthritis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

To evaluate the effect of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on the likelihood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developing septic arthritis (SA).

Methods

The United Kingdom General Practice Research Database (GPRD) was used to identify adults with RA, and age‐, sex‐, and practice‐matched control subjects. Subjects were studied between 1987 and 2002. The risk of developing SA (excluding infected joint replacements) for individuals with RA was calculated and the effect of DMARD use determined.

Results

A total of 136,977 subjects (34,250 patients with RA, 102,747 controls) were identified. SA was identified in 345 subjects, of which 321 (236 in patients with RA, 85 in controls) cases occurred during the study period. The incidence rate of SA was 12.9 times higher in subjects with RA than in those without (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 10.1–16.5, P < 0.001). The incident rate ratios (IRRs) for developing SA while receiving DMARDs compared with receiving no DMARDs were different for different medications. Penicillamine (adjusted IRR 2.51, 95% CI 1.29–4.89, P = 0.004), sulfasalazine (adjusted IRR 1.74, 95% CI 1.04–2.91, P = 0.03), and prednisolone (adjusted IRR 2.94, 95% CI 1.93–4.46, P < 0.001) were associated with an increased incidence of SA when compared with not receiving any DMARD. The use of other DMARDs including methotrexate showed no such effect.

Conclusion

Individuals with RA have an increased risk of developing SA. This increased risk can be attributed to both the disease process and the use of DMARDs.     

A prospective study of the incidence and characteristics of septic arthritis in a teaching hospital in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

To find the incidence, characteristics, method of treatment, and outcome of synovial fluid culture-positive septic arthritis, all newly admitted cases of synovial fluid culture-positive septic arthritis to King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were studied prospectively during August 2005 to July 2006 and only those with positive synovial fluid culture septic arthritis were included in the analysis. Demographic, clinical, hematological, biochemical, microbiological, radiological, and histopathological data along with the interventional and surgical procedures and the functional outcome related to the joint involved were recorded. Of the 42 patients admitted, only 12 fulfilled the study criteria of having positive synovial fluid culture. Annual incidence was estimated to be 2.13 per 100,000 inhabitants. The mean disease duration before diagnosis and treatment was 10.42 ± 2.9 days. The affected joints were six knees, three hips, two shoulders, and one with hip and knee involvement. Two patients had rheumatoid arthritis, two had osteoarthritis, and one had sickle cell disease. The most common infecting organism was Staphylococcus aureus, which caused eight of the infections (66.7%), one Salmonella, one Staphylococcus epidermidis, one Enterobacter cloacae, and one Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The septic arthritis in 4 (33.3%) cases followed previous orthopedic intervention. Blood cultures were positive in three patients, all with S. aureus. White blood cell count was elevated in 3 (25%) patients. All patients received intravenous antibiotic for the initial 2 weeks, the most commonly used antibiotic was flucloxacillin. There were no deaths due to septic arthritis. The functional outcome was excellent to good. Septic arthritis is less prevalent in our community, and the most frequent organism is Staphylococcus. However, special risk factors favor other organisms such as Salmonella and Enterobacter. Previous orthopedic intervention is an important risk factor. Mortality due to septic arthritis is lower than reported elsewhere.     

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of psoriatic arthritis in a cohort of Egyptian patients

Aim of the workTo detect the clinical and laboratory characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in sample of Egyptian population.Patients and methods100 PsA patients were subjected to full medical history, full clinical, musculoskeletal and dermatological examination, routine laboratory investigations and assessment of disease severity.ResultsAmong 100 PsA patients, 79 females and 21 males. The mean age was 44.4 ± 12.9 years. 21% of patients had hypertension, 11% had diabetes and 4% hepatitis C-virus. 14% had family history of other rheumatologic disease. 66% of patients experienced psoriasis onset with mean latency; 11.6 ± 8.2 years, 20% had dual onset of both diseases and 10% experienced PsA first with mean latency 3.6 ± 3.5 years. 86% of the patients had enthesitis, 41% had dactylitis, 39% had axial affection and 18% of patients had uveitis. 90% of patients had current psoriasis and 89% of them had current nail lesion. The most common drug was methotrexate. 38% of patients had axial spondyloarthritis, 33% had symmetric polyarthritis, 26% had asymmetric oligoarthritis, and 3% had predominant distal inter-phalangeal (DIP) involvement. The mean value for serum hemoglobin was 12.1 ± 8.21.6 g/dl, platelets; 278.4 ± 90.3 x10³/mm³, the white blood cells 7.2 ± 2.2 x10³/mm³, C-reactive protein was 10.9 ± 10.1 mg/dl and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 49.3 ± 27.5 mm/1st hr. 92% of patients were negative for rheumatoid factor.ConclusionAmong the cohort of Egyptian patients, most had axial spondyloarthritis, followed by symmetric polyarthritis and asymmetric oligoarthritis. The least frequent was predominant DIP involvement. The onset of psoriasis precedes arthritis and methotrexate was the most common therapy.     

Rheumatoid arthritis patients with interstitial lung disease: Clinical,radiological and laboratory characteristics

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) has a significant burden of morbidity and mortality.Aim of the workTo analyze clinical, radiological and laboratory characteristics of RA-ILD in an Egyptian cohort.Patients and methodsThe study included 160 RA patients. Detailed medical history, disease activity score (DAS28) and joint damage (Sharp score) were carefully recorded. Chest x-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were done and patients were sub-grouped as RA-ILD (HRCT or PFTs abnormalities) and RA without ILD.ResultsPatients were 136 (85%) females and 24 (15%) males with a mean age of 37.8 ± 11.3 years and disease duration of 4.98 ± 5.53 years. 50% of patients had chest manifestations suggestive of ILD. 60% demonstrated abnormalities in PFT and 63.75% in HRCT. The most common HRCT findings were reticulation (66.6%) and ground glass appearance (64.7%), followed by bronchiectasis (50.9%) and honey combing (46%). usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) was the most common HRCT subtype (49%). RA-ILD patients were significantly older (p < 0.001), had longer disease duration (p < 0.001), more frequent arthritis (p = 0.002), higher DAS28 (p < 0.001) and Sharp score (p < 0.001), significantly positive rheumatoid factor (RF) (p = 0.007) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) (p < 0.001).ConclusionA high frequency of ILD among Egyptian patients is recorded due to careful evaluation of respiratory symptoms and valuable assessment by PFTs and HRCT chest. UIP is the most common radiologic pattern of RA-ILD. RA patients with ILD are significantly older with longer disease duration, delayed age at onset, high disease activity with arthritis and positive RF and ACPA.     

A case of brucellar septic arthritis of the knee with a prolonged clinical course

Brucellosis is a systemic infectious disease with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Arthritis is frequently observed in its course and may be one of the main presenting clinical features of the disease. We report a case of brucellar monoarthritis of the knee with a prolonged clinical course despite efficient antibiotic treatment.     

A 19-year-old farmer presented with acute hepatitis and deep vein thrombosis before being diagnosed as MRSA induced septic knee arthritis

We introduce this case presented as fever and acute hepatitis in a 19 year old male. Soon after admission, signs of DVT of the left lower limb appeared and was confirmed with Doppler ultrasound. Low molecular weight heparin was introduced in addition to empirical ciprofloxacin and paracetamol given orally in therapeutic doses with no improvement. Then, the attendant physician noticed effusion and tenderness in the left knee, and the diagnosis of septic arthritis was confirmed after ultrasound of the knee and examination by the orthopedic physician. The patient was referred for drainage and wash of the infected left knee. The aspirated fluid was sent for culture and sensitivity that revealed MRSA sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. Treatment of MRSA along with anticoagulant caused rapid relief of both hepatitis and arthritis and improvement of DVT. The patient returned to normal after finishing courses of antibiotics and anticoagulants. Thus, we'd like to raise the index of suspicion that septic arthritis might induce DVT and hepatic dysfunction in the form of acute hepatitis.     

Simultaneous occurrence of knee septic arthritis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A case report

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is increasingly recognized as a serious, worldwide public health concern. Most of the patients with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms. It is important to identify the unusual manifestations and their long-term complication.Case presentationA case of COVID-19 in 45 years old man with septic arthritis due to Staphylococcus aureus is presented. COVID-19 was diagnosed using real-time polymerase chain reaction without obvious clinical manifestation. The patient had no history of trauma or inflammatory arthritis and had progressive left knee pain and limitation of movement. Knee X-ray was normal. Aspiration of the knee joint fluid showed a cloudy and purulent appearance. The patient was admitted to hospital and immediately treated with vancomycin 1gr/12 hr. A polymerized chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 was performed, which was positive 24 h after hospitalization. Staphylococcus aureus was reported in synovial fluid culture which was sensitive to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin, thus vancomycin was continued. On the 4th day of hospitalization the patient had cough, therefore underwent CT scan lungs and ground-glass opacities (GGO) characteristic of COVID-19 were noticed. Favipiravir and interferon were started. Patient’s knee aspiration was performed for 5 consecutive days. On the 6th day of hospitalization, joint fluid markedly decreased and the patient's oxygen saturation was 96%. One week after hospitalization, the patient was discharged and a month later knee examination was completely normal.ConclusionsSeptic arthritis should be considered in the manifestations or co-morbidity of COVID-19 patients with joint pain, swelling or redness.     

Salmonella septic arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus and other systemic diseases

Salmonella infection is an important problem in immunocompromised patients. The synovium is a particular metastatic focus ofSalmonella infection and can result in many disabilities of life. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were highly susceptible toSalmonella infection. In the past 6 years, 41 patients withSalmonella septic arthritis have been treated in our hospital. Eleven patients had an underlying systemic disease of SLE which presented with a distinctive clinical course. Alcoholic liver disease (six cases) was another common underlying systemic disease. The most frequent predisposing articular factor was avascular necrosis (16 cases). The hip joint was the most commonly involved site.Salmonella group B was the most common serotype (30/41). Seventy-three per cent (8/11) of the SLE group had involvement of two or more joints compared with only three out of 30 patients in the non-SLE group. The sex differentiation shows a predominance of young females (10/11) in the SLE group and middle-aged males in the non-SLE group. Moreover, in the SLE group, all 11 patients shared the risk of lupus nephritis and steroid use. Ten patients hadSalmonella group B bacteraemia and five had urinary tract infections simultaneously. In the non-SLE group, there were 10 patients with a history of steroid use, three with antecedent enteritis, 12 with bacteraemia, and three with necrotising fasciitis. Seven patients in each of the groups had a recurrent course. However, three patients in the non-SLE group had died during the episode of septic arthritis.     

Clinical utility of antibiotic-loaded hydroxyapatite block for treatment of intractable periprosthetic joint infection and septic arthritis of the hip

Objective. Antibiotic-loaded hydroxyapatite block (AHAB) allows gradual release of antibiotics for long duration without thermal damage and, therefore, is potentially a more effective antibacterial spacer than antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate cement (ALAC). The purposes of this study are to assess the utility of AHAB for the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) or septic arthritis (SA) of the hip and to assess the potency of AHAB and ALAC in vitro.

Methods. AHAB was utilized in two-stage reconstruction surgery for 20 PJI and 7 SA patients. Clinical success was confirmed if the patients did not show any sign of recurrence of infection during the follow-up period. Duration and amount of active vancomycin (VCM) released from AHAB and ALAC spacer were investigated in vitro.

Results. Two-stage reconstruction using AHAB significantly improved hip function and showed 100% clinical success with mean follow-up of 37 months. The in vitro duration of the active effect of VCM released from AHAB (21 days) was longer than that from ALAC (7 days) and the amount of active VCM released from AHAB was higher than that from ALAC.

Conclusions. AHAB promises to release higher amounts of active VCM for longer durations than ALAC; therefore, it is a promising treatment for intractable PJI or SA.     

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint in an immunocompetent host; a three-year follow-up

A 34 year-old lady was referred for rheumatology review by the orthopaedic team for further investigation of chronic left sternoclavicular joint pain. No preceding event such as trauma, injury or infection had occurred. A rheumatology workup turned out to be negative for an inflammatory arthropathy. After extensive investigations including blood tests, an MRI scan, a CT scan, and a bone scan, and in consultation with the orthopaedic team, the affected joint was biopsied and tested for mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection. The results came back as positive and the patient was started on anti-mycobacterial treatment. We report the diagnosis, management and 3-year follow-up of this unique case. This highlights an uncommon and often misdiagnosed cause of septic arthritis caused by mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection. To our knowledge this is the first confirmed sternoclavicular mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection in an immunocompetent host reported in the literature.     

Risk factors of severe infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with leflunomide

Abstract

Objectives To determine the risk of severe infection requiring or complicating hospitalization associated with leflunomide therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods We performed a retrospective study of RA patients who were prescribed leflunomide between 2004 and 2011. Background clinical and laboratory features were compared between patients who suffered severe leflunomide-associated infections and those who did not.

Results Since January 2005, 401 RA patients have started on leflunomide. Among those, 33 (8.2 %) developed severe infections: pneumonia, oral candidiasis, pyelonephritis, pulmonary tuberculosis, cellulitis, disseminated herpes zoster, tonsillitis, and pulmonary cryptococcosis. Logistic regression showed that age at entry, the presence of DM, and daily dosage of corticosteroid were associated with development of severe infections.

Conclusions These results showed that some patients with RA who were taking leflunomide developed severe infections requiring hospitalization, and that older age, DM, and a higher daily dosage of corticosteroid were risk factors associated with leflunomide-associated severe infections.     

BNP in septic patients without systolic myocardial dysfunction

BACKGROUND: We tested our hypothesis that serum BNP levels rise in sepsis and septic shock patients as a result of an inflammatory state and not only because of left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with sepsis or septic shock were enrolled in the study. Echocardiography was performed in every patient on admission and at discharge. Laboratory data were evaluated on admission, during hospitalization, and at discharge. Serum IL-1beta, IL-6, TNFalpha, and BNP concentrations were determined. RESULTS: BNP values on admission (r=0.47, p=0.03), during hospitalization (r=0.64, p=0.014), and on the day of discharge (r=0.54, p=0.015) were all positively correlated with CRP values. Mean BNP (r=0.07, p=0.006) and BNP level at discharge (r=0.68, p=0.001) were also positively associated with IL-1 at discharge. Mean CRP (17.7 mg/dL+/-1.5 vs. 9.2 mg/dL+/-3.6, p=0.002), IL-6 (46.6 pg/mL+/-2.2 vs. 25.6 pg/mL+/-16.3, p=0.003), and SAPS II levels (41.3+/-4.7 vs. 33.9+/-6.5 p=0.01) were also higher in patients who died versus those who survived. No difference in BNP levels was recorded in subjects who died versus those who survived. There was no clinical or echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (mean EF% on admission 55.1+/-21.7 vs. 61.3+/-8.6 on discharge, p=0.123). Serum BNP levels at discharge were inversely associated with EF values on admission (r=-0.475, p=0.046) and positively associated with E/A ratio on admission (r=0.565, p=0.028). No association was found between BNP values and death. CONCLUSION: BNP is positively correlated with CRP levels in septic patients without clinical or echocardiographic evidence of systolic dysfunction. No association was found between death and BNP values. It seems that, in septic patients, BNP is less accurate as a measure of ventricular dysfunction.     

高血压病孤立性室间隔肥厚患者心律失常分析

应用２４ｈ动态心电图以每小时房性早搏数（ＰＡＣ／ｈ）和室性早搏数（ＶＰＣ／ｈ）及复杂性室性心律失常发生率作为指标，对２２例高血压病孤立性室间隔肥厚患者、２０例高血压病向心型肥厚患者、２４例高血压病无左室肥厚患者及２０例正常对照者进行检测，结果发现，高血压病孤立性室间隔肥厚组与向心型肥厚组ＶＰＣ／ｈ及复杂性室性心律失常发生率较正常对照组和高血压病无左室肥厚组明显增加（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．０１）；而ＰＡＣ／ｈ的增加仅见于高血压病孤立性室间隔肥厚组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。表明：高血压病孤立性室间隔肥厚与向心型肥厚患者的室性心律失常和复杂性室性心律失常发生率均增高，前者房性心律失常的发生率也增高。     

CPPD crystal deposition disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and the outcome of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in which calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposits were found to coexist in synovial fluid analysis. Such association was more frequent than previously believed with CPPD crystals found in 25.8% of 93 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. As a group, a trend toward a worse outcome was suggested by more frequent prostheses of the lower limb.     

Incidence of serious respiratory infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab

Abstract

We aimed to demonstrate the incidence of serious respiratory infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tocilizumab (TCZ) monotherapy. We analyzed the incidence of serious respiratory infections in 601 RA patients enrolled in TCZ clinical trials and their extension studies (TCZ cohort) and in 601 age- and sex-standardized RA patients treated in daily clinical practice at Tokyo Women’s Medical University (IORRA subsample cohort). The rates of serious respiratory infections were 1.77 per 100 patient-years from 1999 to 2008 in the TCZ cohort and 0.53 per 100 patient-years from 2000 to 2009 in the IORRA subsample cohort. With the IORRA subsample cohort regarded as a standard population, the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of serious respiratory infection in the TCZ cohort was 3.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.56–5.01], standardized for age and sex; 2.35 (95% CI 1.66–3.24), standardized for age sex, and corticosteroid use; 1.85 (95% CI 1.30–2.55), standardized for age sex, and pre-existing pulmonary involvement; and 2.41 (95% CI 1.68–3.34) standardized for age sex, and disease activity. The risk of serious respiratory infection in the TCZ cohort was approximately double that in the IORRA subsample cohort after standardizing for corticosteroid use, pre-existing pulmonary involvement, or disease activity. This is comparable to the risk reported when tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are used.     

Does sport negatively influence joint scores in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Summary The influence of sporting activities performed using joint protective measures on deterioration in hand and lower extremity function was evaluated over 8 years in 62 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Sporting activities usually recommended to patients with JRA, such as cycling and swimming, did not negatively influence hand or lower extremity function as compared to a control group of patients not taking part in sporting activities. Besides cycling and swimming, other sporting activities were only performed by a minority of patients (less than 10%). Decreases in total joint scores of both the hands and lower extremities, showed significant correlations with disease duration in patients taking part and in patients not taking part in sporting activities. Polyarticular onset of disease was associated with higher total joint scores of the hands as compared to pauciarticular onset of disease. In lower extremity function, no difference was found between patients with polyarticular onset and patients with pauciarticular onset. Disease duration of longer than 10 years, accompanied by severe functional deterioration, was followed by low participation in sporting activities. Therefore, we suggest that appropriate sporting activities, such as cycling and swimming, can be advised to patients with JRA regardless of disease duration, since no negative effects were observed in our study over a period of 8 years.     

Clinical characteristics and incidence of methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorders of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the incidence and clinical features of methotrexate (MTX)-related lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients. In total, 589 RA outpatients were examined at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in the period from January 1990 to October 2010.

Results. MTX was used in 403 cases, and the duration of follow-up was 2379 person-years. Four patients developed MTX-LPDs; the incidence of MTX-LPDs was calculated as 0.00168/person-year and the standardized incidence as 8.21 (95% CI: 0.16–24.30). The mean total dosage of MTX was 1142 ± 871 mg, and the dosage at LPD onset was 7.4 ± 1.9 mg/week. The patients who developed MTX-LPDs had significantly shorter disease duration of RA compared with the patients who had not received MTX, but who had not progressed to LPDs (3.1 years vs. 12.5 years; P = 0.01). The following LPD subtypes were observed: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (N = 2); Hodgkin's lymphoma (N = 1); and T-cell lymphoma (N = 1). After withdrawal of MTX, two of these patients showed spontaneous regression of the tumor, one did not have a recurrence, while the other patient relapsed and required chemotherapy.

Conclusion. Our study revealed that MTX-LPDs are not rare complications of RA outpatients. The MTX-LPDs were associated with a relatively shorter RA duration, and half of them showed tumor regression after MTX withdrawal, which suggested an association with MTX. It is important to consider the possibility of MTX-LPD in RA patients who have received MTX.     

Clinical characteristics of influenza virus infection in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients treated with tocilizumab

Background

Inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling by tocilizumab is highly effective for treatment of refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It appears that IL-6 plays an important role in the immune response to the influenza virus, but it is not clear whether treatment with tocilizumab affects the severity of influenza.

Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical and laboratory data from JIA patients (n = 33) treated with tocilizumab. Ten patients who developed influenza (tocilizumab group; 10.1 %, 10/99 patient-years) were analyzed. Eleven JIA patients who experienced influenza during conventional treatments, without tocilizumab (control group), were compared with the tocilizumab group.

Results

Of the 10 patients in the tocilizumab group, 6 patients did not have high fever (>38 °C), and the other 4 febrile patients recovered from fever in 1 day. White blood cell counts and lymphocyte counts were significantly lower at the acute phase of infection compared with data from before influenza infection. The degree of fever and level of C-reactive protein in the tocilizumab group were significantly reduced compared with the control group.

Conclusions

IL-6 inhibition by tocilizumab reduced inflammation associated with infection and resulted in mild symptoms during influenza. Leukopenia might be a useful indicator of viral infection, including influenza, during tocilizumab treatment.     

Reliability of the rheumatoid arthritis articular damage score in Tunisian patients

The clinical rheumatoid arthritis articular damage (RAAD) score is easy to perform and showed good intraobserver reliability. It correlates well with the Larsen score and disease duration and can be recommended for rheumatoid arthritis patients follow-up in developing countries.