Today's topic is Fungal Arthritis!
Fungal arthritis is a rare medical condition characterized by the swelling and inflammation of a joint brought by a fungus microorganism that has invaded the body. There are 50,000 to 200,000 species of fungi but only about 100 of these cause infectious diseases in humans. This condition most commonly affects the knee joint although other joints may also be affected.
Fungal infection of the joint is a
very serious condition that can lead to permanent damage to the joint with loss
of function if not treated urgently and properly fungal organisms that can
cause fungal arthritis include aspergillus Candida and exerohilum species; fungal
arthritis also called mycotic arthritis affects both adult men and women of any
age causes fungi arthritis can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi.
The infection can result from directly injecting medications that are contaminated
by fungus into the joint in some cases a joint can also be infected as a result
of a contaminated prosthesis used in joint replacement surgery.
The condition can also be due to infection
in an organ such as the lungs and intestines that travels to the joint through
the bloodstream conditions or fungal infections that can cause fungal arthritis
include candidiasis, sporotrichosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, x-ray
phylum roasted him this type is the one caused by injecting the joint with a
contaminated medication or vial. This in fact was the situation in September
2012 when contaminated vials of medications produced by a compounding pharmacy caused
a multi-state outbreak of rare and fungal arthritis.
Risk factors associated with the condition include having a weakened
immune system due to HIV aids, cancer, organ transplant, or diabetes, the risk
increases if a such person travels to live or stays in fungus endemic areas the
growth of the fungus is common in geographical regions with warm and humid climate
conditions.
Symptoms, pain, stiffness, swelling of the joint, fever, swelling
of the ankles feet, and legs, and restricted range of motion of the affected joint.
Diagnosis and Treatment to make a diagnosis the doctor will carry out a complete
evaluation of medical history through physical and joint examination during the
physical examination the doctor may look for swelling, redness, the warmth of the joint
and check for a range of motion other diagnostic options include removal of joint
fluid to look for fungus under a microscope, x-ray of the joints, positive
antibody test for fungal disease, culture of the joint fluid, synovial biopsy
showing fungus.
Treatment the goal of the treatment option is to cure the infection, fungal infection responds well to treatment with anti-fungal medications, and in severe cases of bone or joint infection, surgery may be required to remove the infected tissue.
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