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Infectious Disorders

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Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases

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Abstract

Nongonococcal bacterial infections are the most serious infections affecting the joints. Normal joints, diseased joints, and prosthetic joints are all vulnerable to bacterial infection. The fact that septic joints signal the presence of a potentially life-threatening infection cannot be overemphasized, nor can the importance of early diagnosis and prompt, effective therapy. Mortality rates among adults range from 10% to greater than 50%. Full recovery is possible, but poor outcomes are common among those with preexisting arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This chapter discusses acute nongonococcal bacterial arthritis in adults. Septic arthritis in children, gonococcal joint infection, and septic bursitis are also briefly discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

    George Ho Jr MD (Professor)

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  1. George Ho Jr MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA

    John H. Klippel MD (President and CEO) (President and CEO)

  2. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    John H. Stone MD, MPH (Associate Physician, Deputy Editor for Rheumatology) (Associate Physician, Deputy Editor for Rheumatology)

  3. Division of Rheumatology & Women’s Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Leslie J. Crofford MD (Gloria W. Singletary Professor of Internal Medicine, Chief) (Gloria W. Singletary Professor of Internal Medicine, Chief)

  4. Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Patience H. White MD, MA (Chief Public Health Officer) (Chief Public Health Officer)

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Ho, G. (2008). Infectious Disorders. In: Klippel, J.H., Stone, J.H., Crofford, L.J., White, P.H. (eds) Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68566-3_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68566-3_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-35664-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-68566-3

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