Fungal arthritis

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Fungal arthritis is an inflammation of a joint caused by infection by a fungus.

Mycotic arthritis

Fungal or mycotic arthritis is a very rare condition and may be caused by any of the invasive fungi. These organisms may affect bone or joint tissue. One or more joints may be affected, with the large weight-bearing joints, especially the knee, most commonly affected.

Conditions that may lead to fungal arthritis include the following:

• Coccidioidomycosis
• Histoplasmosis
• Blastomycosis
• Cryptococcosis
• Candidiasis
• Sporotrichosis

The infection usually occurs as a result of an infection in another organ, frequently the lungs, and tends to progress very slowly. Immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to some causes of fungal arthritis.

Review Date: 11/27/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.