Septic Arthritis in Adults

Septic arthritis is a rheumatologic emergency as joint destruction occurs rapidly and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The risk of septic arthritis significantly increased in patients with premorbid affected joints (especially with rheumatoid arthritis), and also after arthroplasty. Accurate diagnosis can be particularly challenging and is often delayed especially in patients with underlying inflammatory joint disease. This review presents the data on epidemiology, the risk factors and diagnostic algorithms for septic arthritis; outlines the leading causative agents of disease depending on the clinical groups and geographical areas; consideres the optimal empirical antibiotic therapy and discusses the prophylaxis of septic arthritis in adults.