Mycoplasma hominis septic arthritis with concomitant gouty arthritis

J Clin Rheumatol. 2012 Dec;18(8):411-2. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0b013e318278ed74.

Abstract

We report a rare case of Mycoplasma hominis septic arthritis occurring simultaneously with acute gout. A Taiwanese native aboriginal presented with right ankle swelling, erythema, local tenderness, and limitation of range of motion after a vertebroplasty. He had a history of gout without regular follow-up. Under the polarized light microscopy examination, his synovial fluid revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis and monosodium urate crystals. Subsequently, 2 consecutive anaerobic synovial fluid cultures yielded a cell wall-free microorganism, which was identified as M. hominis based on polymerase chain reaction of its 16S rDNA. He did not defervesce under colchicine and indomethacin treatment until we prescribed a doxycycline and moxifloxacin regimen. He responded well to 6-week doxycycline and moxifloxacin treatment without bone destruction and loss of joint function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ankle Joint / microbiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Gouty / complications*
  • Arthritis, Infectious / complications*
  • Arthritis, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Aza Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Mycoplasma Infections / diagnosis
  • Mycoplasma Infections / drug therapy
  • Mycoplasma hominis / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Quinolines / therapeutic use
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Aza Compounds
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Quinolines
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Doxycycline
  • Moxifloxacin