HIV-INFECTION AND SALMONELLA SEPTIC ARTHRITIS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection predisposes to bacterial infection at many sites but septic arthritis is notably uncommon. An H IV seropositive patient who presented with oligoarticular septic arthr itis due to Salmonella enteritidis and who responded poorly to antibio tic therapy and repeated aspiration of involved joints is described Un usual features included the clinical presentation of septic arthritis in more than one joint, a protracted clinical course with radiological destruction of the hip, bone marrow suppression induced by cotrimoxaz ole, and death thought to be due to a gastropathy induced by non-stero idal anti-inflammatory therapy at a time when the septic arthritis app eared to have responded to treatment. Cure of Salmonella septic arthri tis in HIV infected patients may be difficult and require aggressive p rolonged treatment. Septic arthritis should be considered in the diffe rential diagnosis in a patient with HIV infection and arthritis.