DOES SEPTIC ARTHRITIS OCCUR IN PATIENTS I NFECTED WITH THE HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

No prospective, longitudinal, cohort studies comparing septic arthriti s in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals belonging to the variou s risk factor groups for HIV-infection are available. However, a revie w of the literature provided information on the main features of pyart hrosis in HIV-infected patients. The clinical and microbiological char acteristics, as well as the outcome of this rare complication, vary wi th the risk factor group and with the severity of the immune deficienc y. Pyogenic bacteria are the most common causative agents and should b e looked for routinely since they usually respond well to antimicrobia l therapy.