Septic polyarthritis with Mycoplasma salivarium in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency: case report and review of the literature

Mycoplasma salivarium is a common mycoplasma usually isolated from human oropharynx, particularly from individuals with periodontal disease. It is also among the more common mycoplasmal contaminants of eukaryotic cell cultures. Although M. salivarium has been isolated occasionally from abscesses and other sterile sites, to our knowledge, only three cases of septic arthritis have been documented in the past due to this organism, all in patients with humoral immunodeficiency. We now report a fourth case of septic polyarthritis in a patient with profound hypoimmunoglobulinemia who had experienced dental abscesses within the preceding 2 years. Our case highlights the importance of considering invasive mycoplasmal infection in hypogammaglobulinemic patients. It is likely of significance that the patient had suffered recurrent dental abscesses as a source of infection with M. salivarium .

Ureaplasma septic polyarthritis in a young woman with neuromyelitis optica receiving rituximab

We report a case of septic polyarthritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum in a woman with neuromyelitis optica who was receiving rituximab. Her case exemplifies some of the unique characteristics of invasive Ureaplasma infections that can lead to delayed diagnosis as well as treatment challenges including recurrence following antibiotic discontinuation.

Septic polyarthritis presentation of three cases

Polyarticular septic arthritis is defined as the infection of two or more joints, almost always of bacterial etiology and hematogenous spread. It is considered a medical emergency, which should be recognized early, avoiding the spread of infection, associated with high mortality and the risk of joint structural damage. We present three cases of polyarticular septic arthritis, highlighting the importance of clinical suspicion and early synovial fluid study for diagnosis and treatment with antimicrobials, joint evacuation and joint lavage.

Case report: failure of passive transfer and neonatal infections in a cohort of lambs

This case report details an outbreak of neonatal lamb deaths, in which 84 of the 1203 potential lambs (from scanning) died and 70 developed septic polyarthritis. Investigation of the Scottish lowland flock of 650 breeding ewes revealed good lambing-time hygiene; poor ewe nutrition was suspected to have led to poor colostrum quality or quantity, resulting in failure of passive transfer of immunity in lambs. Ewe body condition at lambing was poor, with low blood urea nitrogen and albumin levels in pre-lambing ewe metabolic blood profiles.

Rat bite fevers (Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus infection)

Rat bite fever is usually attributable to Streptobacillus moniliformis in the Americas, Europe, and Australasia, and to Spirillum minus in Asia. Bites are increasingly common among children with pet rats, and pet shop and laboratory workers. Both bacteria are commensals of rats, some other rodents, and their predators. After an incubation period less than 1 week, S. moniliformis causes sudden high fever, rigors, myalgia, petechial rash, and migratory reactive or septic polyarthritis with synovial effusions. Complications can include fulminant septicaemia, endocarditis, pneumonia, and metastatic abscesses. S. minus infection (sodoku) has a longer incubation period with similarly high fever but concomitant exacerbation of the bite wound, local lymphadenopathy, papular rash, and arthralgia without effusions. In both diseases, fever subsides after a few days but may relapse repeatedly over months. Prevention is by controlling peri-domestic rats and avoiding bites by pet or laboratory rodents.