Septic Arthritis Caused by Sphingomonas Paucimobilis in Immunocompetent Patient: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Septic arthritis, also known as infectious arthritis, is inflammation of the joints due to a wide range of pathogens, such as bacterial, fungal, mycobacterial, viral, or/and other pathogens; however, some opportunistic pathogens tend to affect immunocompromised patients and rarely infect immunocompetent patients. For example, Sphingomonas paucimobilis is an opportunistic pathogen with a particular tropism toward bones and soft tissues that rarely causes infections in immunocompetent humans. We present a case of Sphingomonas paucimobilis causing septic arthritis in a 34-year-old man who is medically free and with no history of previous surgeries or any other comorbidities. He was treated successfully by both pharmacological treatment and surgical intervention. To our knowledge, there are only four cases published in the literature involving Sphingomonas paucimobilis as a causative organism of septic arthritis affecting immunocompetent patients.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis Septic Shock in an Immunocompetent Patient

“…Since undergoing the nomenclature change, S. paucimobilis has shown itself as an opportunistic bacterium that rarely leads to infections in immunocompetent individuals. A few case reports show notable presentations in immunocompetent individuals but in the forms of pneumonia, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and pyomyoma [10][11][12].…”

Draft genome of heterotrophic bacteria Sphingomonas sp. 2R-10 isolated from water treatment plant in South Africa

“…Milder skin infections to more dangerous bloodstream infections are all possible. Other rare and opportunistic Sphingomonas pathogens have been reported in various studies ( 4 - 6 ).…”