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Fungal arthritis

Definition

Fungal arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of a joint by a fungal infection. It is also called mycotic arthritis.

Causes

Fungal arthritis is a rare condition. It can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. The infection can result from an infection in another organ, such as the lungs and travel to a joint through the bloodstream. A joint can also become infected during a surgery. People with weakened immune systems who travel or live in areas where the fungi are common, are more susceptible to most causes of fungal arthritis.

Conditions that can cause fungal arthritis include:

• Blastomycosis

• Candidiasis

• Coccidioidomycosis

• Cryptococcosis

• Histoplasmosis

• Sporotrichosis

Symptoms

The fungus can affect bone or joint tissue. One or more joints can be affected, most often the large, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees.

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Joint stiffness

• Joint swelling

• Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will examine you.

Tests that may be ordered include:

• Removal of joint fluid to look for fungus under a microscope

• Culture of joint fluid to look for fungus

• Joint x-ray that may show joint changes

• Positive antibody test (serology) for fungal disease

• Synovial biopsy showing fungus

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection using antifungal medicines. Commonly used antifungal medicines are amphotericin B or medicines in the azole family (fluconazole, ketoconazole, or itraconazole).

Chronic or advanced bone or joint infection may require surgery (debridement) to remove the infected tissue.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the underlying cause of the infection and your overall health. A weakened immune system, cancer, and certain medicines can affect the outcome.

Possible Complications

Joint damage may occur and the risk of damage is higher if the infection is not treated right away.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider for an appointment if you have any symptoms of fungal arthritis.

Prevention

Thorough treatment of fungal infections elsewhere in the body may help prevent fungal arthritis.

References

Ohl CA. Infectious arthritis of native joints. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 103.

Ruderman EM, Flaherty JP. Fungal infections of bones and joints. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein and Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 119.

Review Date: 12/31/2023

Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.