Difficult diagnosis: Disseminated gonorrheal infection manifesting as septic arthritis

Abstract

Disseminated gonococcal infection is the causative agent of approximately 0.6%–1.2% of septic arthritis cases in North America and Europe. Typical presentations of this disorder include tenosynovitis, dermatitis, polyarthralgia, or oligoarticular purulent arthritis affecting the distal joints. Diagnosis is contingent on clinical presentation, with urine nucleic acid amplification testing as the preferred diagnostic modality. Synovial fluid cultures, along with imaging, can confirm diagnosis. The recommended treatment is a third-generation cephalosporin, such as intravenous ceftriaxone for 7–14 days and a dose of oral azithromycin.