BACTEROIDES-FRAGILIS ARTHRITIS IN A SICKLE CELL-THALASSEMIA PATIENT

Anaerobic arthritis due to Bacteroides fragilis was diagnosed in a 33- year-old patient with prolonged fever suffering from sickle cell/thala ssaemia. The causative agent was isolated from blood and purulent syno vial fluid from both knee joints. A combination of chloramphenicol plu s metronidazole treatment proved effective. Anaerobic arthritis has no t previously been described in patients with sickle cell disease, and may reflect the well-known susceptibility of these patients to pathoge ns.