NONGONOCOCCAL SEPTIC ARTHRITIS AT A MAJOR TEACHING HOSPITAL IN RIYADH, SAUDI-ARABIA

Twenty five (25) consecutive cases of nongonococcal septic arthritis a dmitted to King Khalid University Hospital were retrospectively review ed. The patients were mostly adults (64%) and Staphylococcus aureus wa s the most common bacterial species isolated (69%). Predisposing facto rs were identified in 52% of patients, including diabetes mellitus in seven patients, pre-existing joint disease in two patients and the inf ection followed intraarticular steroid injections in two patients. All patients were treated with appropriate antibiotics; however, 11 (44%) patients were left with permanent joint damage.