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A "hot" joint that is swollen and tender may indicate an acute suppurative arthritis. The gram stain shown here shows many neutrophilic leukocytes, one of which contains gram negative intracellular diplococci indicative of Neisseria gonorrheae infection.
Infectious agents may reach the joint via penetrating trauma or hematogenously. In adults, a major risk is sepsis with injection drug use. Sexually active adults are at risk for gonococcal arthritis. The organisms that may often produce a pyogenic arthritis are: |
