How do gonococcal and nongonococcal septic arthritis differ?
Gonococcal | Nongonococcal | |
|---|---|---|
| Host | Young, healthy adults | Small children, elderly, |
| Immunocompromised | ||
| Pattern | Migratory polyarthralgias/arthritis | Monoarthritis |
| Tenosynovitis | Common | Rare |
| Skin rash | Common | Rare |
| Positive joint cultures | <25% | >95% |
| Positive blood cultures | Rare | 40%–50% |
| Outcome | Good in >95% | Poor in 30%–50% |
