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Fungal arthritis
Mycotic arthritis; Infectious arthritis - fungal
Fungal arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of a joint by a fungal infection. It is also called mycotic arthritis.
Causes
Fungal arthritis is a rare condition. It can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. The infection can result from an infection in another organ, such as the lungs. People with weakened immune systems who travel or live in areas where the fungi are common, are more susceptible to most causes of fungal arthritis.
Conditions that can cause fungal arthritis include:
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Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. The fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.
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Candidiasis
Candidiasis
Vaginal yeast infection is an infection of the vagina. It is most commonly due to the fungus Candida albicans.
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Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis
Valley fever is an infection that occurs when the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis enter your body through the lungs.
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Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is infection with the fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii.
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Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is an infection that occurs from breathing in the spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.
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Sporotrichosis
Sporotrichosis
Sporotrichosis is a long-term (chronic) skin infection that is caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Exserohilum rostratum (from injection with contaminated steroid vials)
Symptoms
The fungus can affect bone or joint tissue. One or more joints can be affected, most often the large, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness
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Joint swelling
Joint swelling
Joint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint.
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Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs
Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs
Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs ...
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Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will examine you.
Tests that may be ordered include:
-
Culture of joint fluid
that grows fungus
Culture of joint fluid
Joint fluid culture is a laboratory test to detect infection-causing organisms in a sample of fluid surrounding a joint.
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Joint x-ray
showing joint changes
Joint x-ray
This test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Positive antibody test (serology) for fungal disease
-
Synovial biopsy
showing fungus
Synovial biopsy
A synovial biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue lining a joint for examination. The tissue is called the synovial membrane.
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Treatment
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection using antifungal drugs. Commonly used antifungal drugs are amphotericin B or drugs in the azole family (fluconazole, ketoconazole, or itraconazole).
Chronic or advanced bone or joint infection may require surgery (debridement) to remove the infected tissue.
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well you do depends on the underlying cause of the infection and the your overall health. A weakened immune system, cancer, and certain medicines can affect the outcome.
Possible Complications
Joint damage may occur if the infection is not treated right away.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your provider if you have any symptoms of fungal arthritis.
Prevention
Thorough treatment of fungal infections elsewhere in the body may help prevent fungal arthritis.
References
Marquez J, Espinoza LR. Infectious arthritis II: mycobacterial, brucellar, fungal, and parasitic arthritis. In: Hochberg MC, Silman AJ, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2015:chap 108.
Ohl CA, Forster D. Infectious arthritis of native joints. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 105.
Review Date: 12/10/2015
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
