Health Information

Fungal arthritis is infection of a joint by a fungus.

Mycotic arthritis

Fungal arthritis, also called mycotic arthritis, is a very rare condition. It can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. These organisms may affect bone or joint tissue. One or more joints may be affected, most often the large, weight-bearing joints, especially the knees.

Organisms that can cause fungal arthritis include:

• Blastomycosis
• Candidiasis
• Coccidioidomycosis
• Cryptococcosis
• Histoplasmosis
• Sporotrichosis

The infection usually occurs as a result of an infection in another organ, frequently the lungs, and tends to get worse very slowly. People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to most causes of fungal arthritis.

• Arthritis
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Joint swelling
• Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs

• Culture of joint fluid that grows fungus
• Joint x-ray showing joint changes
• Positive antibody test (serology) for fungal disease
• Synovial biopsy showing fungus

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

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

What happens depends on the underlying cause of the infection and the patient's overall health. A weakened immune system, cancer, and certain medications can affect the outcome.

Joint damage can occur if the infection is not treated promptly.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any symptoms of fungal arthritis.

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

Espinoza LR. Infections of bursae, joints, and bones. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 293.

Ohl CA. Infectious arthritis of native joints. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005: chap 98.