BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuFungal arthritisMycotic arthritis; Infectious arthritis - fungalFungal arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of a joint by a fungal infection. It is also called mycotic arthritis. Causes Fungal arthritis is a rare condition. It can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. The infection can result from an infection in another organ, such as the lungs and travel to a joint through the bloodstream. A joint can also become infected during a surgery. People with weakened immune systems who travel or live in areas where the fungi are common, are more susceptible to most causes of fungal arthritis.Conditions that can cause fungal arthritis include:Blastomycosis BlastomycosisBlastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. The fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Candidiasis CandidiasisVaginal yeast infection is an infection of the vagina. It is most often due to the fungus Candida albicans.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Coccidioidomycosis CoccidioidomycosisValley fever is an infection that occurs when the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis enter your body through the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cryptococcosis CryptococcosisCryptococcosis is infection with the fungi Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Histoplasmosis HistoplasmosisHistoplasmosis is an infection that occurs from breathing in the spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sporotrichosis SporotrichosisSporotrichosis is a long-term (chronic) skin infection that is caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exserohilum rostratum (from injection with contaminated steroid vials) Symptoms The fungus can affect bone or joint tissue. One or more joints can be affected, most often the large, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees.Symptoms may include any of the following:Fever Joint pain Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint stiffness Joint stiffnessJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint swelling Joint swellingJoint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint or the joint itself.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legsSwelling of the ankles, feet, and legsPainless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine you.Tests that may be ordered include:Removal of joint fluid to look for fungus under a microscope Culture of joint fluid to look for fungus Culture of joint fluidJoint fluid culture is a laboratory test to detect infection-causing germs in a sample of fluid surrounding a joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint x-ray showing joint changes Joint x-rayThis test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Positive antibody test (serology) for fungal disease Synovial biopsy showing fungus Synovial biopsyA synovial biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue lining a joint for examination. The tissue is called the synovial membrane.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment is to cure the infection using antifungal drugs. Commonly used antifungal drugs are amphotericin B or drugs in the azole family (fluconazole, ketoconazole, or itraconazole). Chronic or advanced bone or joint infection may require surgery (debridement) to remove the infected tissue. Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on the underlying cause of the infection and your overall health. A weakened immune system, cancer, and certain medicines can affect the outcome. Possible Complications Joint damage may occur and the risk of damage is higher if the infection is not treated right away. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider for an appointment if you have any symptoms of fungal arthritis. Prevention Thorough treatment of fungal infections elsewhere in the body may help prevent fungal arthritis.Open ReferencesReferencesOhl CA. Infectious arthritis of native joints. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 103.Ruderman EM, Flaherty JP. Fungal infections of bones and joints. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein and Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 119.AllVideoImagesTogThe structure of a joint - illustration Joints, particularly hinge joints like the elbow and the knee, are complex structures made up of bone, muscles, synovium, cartilage, and ligaments that are designed to bear weight and move the body through space. The knee consists of the femur (thigh bone) above, and the tibia (shin bone) and fibula below. The kneecap (patella) glides through a shallow groove on the front part of the lower thigh bone. Ligaments and tendons connect the three bones of the knee, which are contained in the joint capsule (synovium) and are cushioned by cartilage. The structure of a jointillustrationShoulder joint inflammation - illustration An inflammation of the shoulder joint can cause pain and restricted joint movement.Shoulder joint inflammationillustrationFungus - illustration Fungal infections are caused by microscopic organisms (fungi) that can live on the skin. They can live on the dead tissues of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers.FungusillustrationThe structure of a joint - illustration Joints, particularly hinge joints like the elbow and the knee, are complex structures made up of bone, muscles, synovium, cartilage, and ligaments that are designed to bear weight and move the body through space. The knee consists of the femur (thigh bone) above, and the tibia (shin bone) and fibula below. The kneecap (patella) glides through a shallow groove on the front part of the lower thigh bone. Ligaments and tendons connect the three bones of the knee, which are contained in the joint capsule (synovium) and are cushioned by cartilage. The structure of a jointillustrationShoulder joint inflammation - illustration An inflammation of the shoulder joint can cause pain and restricted joint movement.Shoulder joint inflammationillustrationFungus - illustration Fungal infections are caused by microscopic organisms (fungi) that can live on the skin. They can live on the dead tissues of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers.FungusillustrationA Closer Look Rheumatoid arthritis - InDepth(In-Depth)Psoriasis-In-Depth(In-Depth) Tests for Fungal arthritis Synovial biopsyJoint x-rayJoint fluid cultureComplementRelated Information Joint pain(Symptoms)Valley fever(Condition)Histoplasmosis(Condition)Blastomycosis(Condition)Cryptococcosis(Condition)Vaginal yeast infection(Condition)Sporotrichosis(Condition) Review Date: 11/23/2021 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Fungal arthritisMycotic arthritis; Infectious arthritis - fungalFungal arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of a joint by a fungal infection. It is also called mycotic arthritis. Causes Fungal arthritis is a rare condition. It can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. The infection can result from an infection in another organ, such as the lungs and travel to a joint through the bloodstream. A joint can also become infected during a surgery. People with weakened immune systems who travel or live in areas where the fungi are common, are more susceptible to most causes of fungal arthritis.Conditions that can cause fungal arthritis include:Blastomycosis BlastomycosisBlastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. The fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Candidiasis CandidiasisVaginal yeast infection is an infection of the vagina. It is most often due to the fungus Candida albicans.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Coccidioidomycosis CoccidioidomycosisValley fever is an infection that occurs when the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis enter your body through the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cryptococcosis CryptococcosisCryptococcosis is infection with the fungi Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Histoplasmosis HistoplasmosisHistoplasmosis is an infection that occurs from breathing in the spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sporotrichosis SporotrichosisSporotrichosis is a long-term (chronic) skin infection that is caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exserohilum rostratum (from injection with contaminated steroid vials) Symptoms The fungus can affect bone or joint tissue. One or more joints can be affected, most often the large, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees.Symptoms may include any of the following:Fever Joint pain Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint stiffness Joint stiffnessJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint swelling Joint swellingJoint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint or the joint itself.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legsSwelling of the ankles, feet, and legsPainless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine you.Tests that may be ordered include:Removal of joint fluid to look for fungus under a microscope Culture of joint fluid to look for fungus Culture of joint fluidJoint fluid culture is a laboratory test to detect infection-causing germs in a sample of fluid surrounding a joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint x-ray showing joint changes Joint x-rayThis test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Positive antibody test (serology) for fungal disease Synovial biopsy showing fungus Synovial biopsyA synovial biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue lining a joint for examination. The tissue is called the synovial membrane.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment is to cure the infection using antifungal drugs. Commonly used antifungal drugs are amphotericin B or drugs in the azole family (fluconazole, ketoconazole, or itraconazole). Chronic or advanced bone or joint infection may require surgery (debridement) to remove the infected tissue. Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on the underlying cause of the infection and your overall health. A weakened immune system, cancer, and certain medicines can affect the outcome. Possible Complications Joint damage may occur and the risk of damage is higher if the infection is not treated right away. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider for an appointment if you have any symptoms of fungal arthritis. Prevention Thorough treatment of fungal infections elsewhere in the body may help prevent fungal arthritis.Open ReferencesReferencesOhl CA. Infectious arthritis of native joints. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 103.Ruderman EM, Flaherty JP. Fungal infections of bones and joints. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein and Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 119.