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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:59 Causes of Fungal Arthritis
2:24 Symptoms of Fungal Arthritis
2:38 Diagnosis of Fungal Arthritis
3:17 Treatment of Fungal Arthritis

Fungal arthritis is a rare medical condition characterized by the swelling and inflammation of a joint brought by a fungus microorganism that has invaded the body.
• There are 50,000 to 200,000 species of fungi, but only about 100 of these cause infectious diseases in humans.
• This condition most commonly affects the knee joint, although other joints may also be affected.
• Fungal infection of the joint is a very serious condition that can lead to permanent damage to the joint with loss of function, if not treated urgently and properly
• Fungal organisms that can cause fungal arthritis include Aspergillus, Candida, and Exserohilum species
• Fungal arthritis, also called mycotic arthritis affects both adult men and women of any age.

CAUSES
Fungi arthritis can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. The infection can result from directly injecting medications that is contaminated by fungus into the joint. In some cases, a joint can also be infected as a result of contaminated prosthesis used in joint replacement surgery. The condition can also be due to infection in an organ, such as the lungs and intestines that travels to the joint through the bloodstream
Conditions (fungal infections) that can cause fungal arthritis include:
• Candidiasis
• Sporotrichosis
• Coccidioidomycosis
• Blastomycosis
• Exserohilum rostratum, this type is the one caused by injecting the joint with a contaminated medication or vial. This, in fact, was the situation in September 2012 when contaminated vials of medications produced by a compounding pharmacy caused a multistate outbreak of rare and fungal arthritis

Risk factors associated with the condition include:
• Having a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplant, or diabetes. The risk increases if such person travels to, live, or stay in fungus endemic areas. The growth of fungus is common in geographical regions with warm and humid climate condition.

SYMPTOMS
• Pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joint
• Fever
• Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs
• Restricted range of motion of affected joint

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will carry out a complete evaluation of medical history, thorough physical and joint examination. During the physical examination, the doctor may look for swelling, redness, warmth of joint, and check for range of motion.
Other diagnostic options include:
• Removal of joint fluid to look for fungus under a microscope
• X-ray of the joints
• Positive antibody test for fungal disease
• Culture of the joint fluid
• Synovial biopsy showing fungus
TREATMENT
The goal of the treatment option is to cure the infection. Fungal infection responds well to treatment with antifungal medications
In severe cases of bone or joint infection, surgery may be required to remove the infected tissue.
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