Fungal Musculoskeletal Infections

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2017 Jun;31(2):353-368. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2017.01.006.

Abstract

Fungi are rare but important causes of osteoarticular infections, and can be caused by a wide array of yeasts and molds. Symptoms are often subacute and mimic those of other more common causes of osteoarticular infection, which can lead to substantial delays in treatment. A high index of suspicion is required to establish the diagnosis. The severity of infection depends on the inherent pathogenicity of the fungi, the immune status of the host, the anatomic location of the infection, and whether the infection involves a foreign body. Treatment often involves a combination of surgical debridement and prolonged antifungal therapy.

Keywords: Aspergillus; Candida; Fungi; Osteomyelitis; Prosthetic joint infection; Septic arthritis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology
  • Aspergillus / drug effects
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Candida / isolation & purification
  • Debridement
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Fungi / drug effects
  • Fungi / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Mycoses / diagnosis
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Mycoses / microbiology*
  • Osteomyelitis / drug therapy
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / drug therapy
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents