Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Arthritis and Spondylitis in a Patient with Lupus.
- Author:
Nayoung PARK
1
;
Sunjoo LEE
;
Chisook MOON
;
Dongyook KIM
;
Heuichul GWAK
;
Minyoung HER
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Nontuberculous mycobacteria; Systemic lupus erythematosus
- MeSH: Abscess; Arthritis*; Arthritis, Infectious; Drainage; Humans; Joints; Knee; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Musculoskeletal System; Mycobacterium kansasii; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria*; Spine; Spondylitis*
- From:Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2016;23(1):66-70
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Approximately 90% of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections involve the pulmonary system; NTM infections involving areas of the musculoskeletal system such as the joints or spine are uncommon. This report describes a case of refractory knee swelling in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Indolent arthritis of the knee eventually progressed to spondylitis and a paraspinal abscess requiring surgical incision and drainage. The cause of the infectious arthritis and spondylitis was diagnosed as NTM infection, specifically Mycobacterium kansasii. This case emphasizes the importance of a high index of clinical suspicion for mycobacterial infection, as well as repeated attempts to isolate the organism, in patients with SLE who present with atypical chronic arthritis.
