Fungal Arthritis

Fungal Arthritis

Article
Bone, Muscle, & Joint
Diseases & Conditions
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBASep 16, 2018

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Arthritis due to Fungal Infection
  • Arthropathy and Mycoses
  • Mycotic Arthritis

What is Fungal Arthritis? (Definition/Background Information)

  • Fungal Arthritis is an infrequent medical disorder affecting the joint (both the bone and soft tissue) that is brought about by a fungus. This condition most commonly affects the knee joint, although other  joints may also be affected
  • Individuals with weak immune systems are at an increased risk of being affected by Fungal Arthritis. It is commonly caused by fungi that infect other body organ's first and then spread to the joints through the bloodstream
  • Signs and symptoms of Fungal Arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness and redness of joints, with restricted range of motion
  • The treatment of Fungal Arthritis includes the use of antifungal medications. Treatment is intended to reduce the symptoms and prevent repeated attacks. The long-term prognosis of Fungal Arthritis is usually good

Who gets Fungal Arthritis? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Both adult men and women of any age can be affected by Fungal Arthritis
  • No ethnic or racial preference is seen
  • Healthy individuals have a very low risk of this condition

What are the Risk Factors for Fungal Arthritis? (Predisposing Factors)

Risk factors associated with Fungal Arthritis are:

  • A weakened immune system (due to AIDS/HIV, cancer, organ transplant and diabetes) is more likely to be infected
  • The risk increases if such individuals (the ones with weak immune system) live, travel, or stay in fungus endemic areas. Geographical regions, such as warm and humid climatic conditions, are conducive to the growth of the fungus.
  • Individuals suffering from any of the six fungal infections, such as blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, and sporotrichosis have an increased risk of Fungal Arthritis

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Fungal Arthritis? (Etiology)

  • Fungal Arthritis is commonly caused by fungi travelling through the bloodstream and reaching the joint(s)
  • The fungus could be dormant within the body for a long period before it gets activated. It may affect other body organs, such as the lungs and intestines, before moving to the joints

The following fungal infections can invade the blood and reach the joints, causing Fungal Arthritis:

  • Blastomycosis
  • Coccidioidomycosis
  • Candidiasis
  • Cryptococcosis
  • Sporotrichosis
  • Exserohilum rostratum: This type of Fungal Arthritis is caused by injecting the joint with a contaminated medication or vial (a small container used for holding liquid medications)

Rarely, Fungal Arthritis can also occur by contaminated prosthesis used to replace the damaged joints.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Fungal Arthritis?

The signs and symptoms of Fungal Arthritis include:

  • Pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joint
  • Redness of the joint with warmth
  • Restricted range of motion of the affected joint
  • Fever
  • There may be swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs

How is Fungal Arthritis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis tests for Fungal Arthritis include:

  • Complete evaluation of medical history and thorough physical and joint examination. During the physical examination, the physician may look for redness, swelling, and warmth of the joint, as well as check the range of motion of the joint
  • Synovial fluid analysis of the joints that contain the fungus
  • Histopathological studies conducted on a biopsy specimen. The specimen is examined under a microscope by a pathologist, to arrive at a definitive diagnosis
  • X-rays of the joints
  • Positive antibody blood test

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Fungal Arthritis?

The possible complications of Fungal Arthritis are:

  • Chronic pain and stiffness of the joints, which may prevent individuals from performing their daily routine activities
  • If left untreated, joint damage may occur

How is Fungal Arthritis Treated?

Treatment for Fungal Arthritis includes:

  • Fungal infections respond well to treatment with antifungal medications such as amphotericin B
  • In severe cases of bone or joint infection, surgery may be required to remove the infected tissue

How can Fungal Arthritis be Prevented?

Fungal Arthritis can be prevented by:

  • Appropriate and early treatment of fungal infections responsible for causing Fungal Arthritis
  • Following strict sterile techniques while manipulating and treating joint diseases

What is the Prognosis of Fungal Arthritis? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • The prognosis of Fungal Arthritis depends on the cause of the infection and the overall health of the individual
  • Individuals with a weak immune system, and those who have a chronic condition of the disease might take longer to recover completely
  • Without treatment, complications may develop and permanent damage to the joints may occur

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Fungal Arthritis:

  • Yeast is a kind of fungus that causes candidiasis. This infection can target multiple organs and body tissue. However, the signs and symptoms are usually not linked to a fungal infection
  • The synovial fluid analysis evaluates several aspects of the synovial fluid to assess joint health and differentiate between different types of joint disorders

The following article link will help you understand synovial fluid analysis of ankle joint:

http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-laboratory/synovial-fluid-analysis-ankle-joint/ 

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Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
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Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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