Ureaplasma septic polyarthritis in a young woman with neuromyelitis optica receiving rituximab

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Feb 1;14(2):e237916. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237916.

Abstract

We report a case of septic polyarthritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum in a woman with neuromyelitis optica who was receiving rituximab. Her case exemplifies some of the unique characteristics of invasive Ureaplasma infections that can lead to delayed diagnosis as well as treatment challenges including recurrence following antibiotic discontinuation.

Keywords: bone and joint infections; immunological products and vaccines; sexual transmitted infections (bacterial).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Infectious / immunology
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Arthritis, Infectious / therapy
  • Arthroscopy
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gonorrhea / diagnosis
  • Gonorrhea / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
  • Knee Joint / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / drug therapy*
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis
  • Osteomyelitis / immunology
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology*
  • Osteomyelitis / therapy
  • Rituximab / adverse effects*
  • Shoulder Joint / surgery
  • Synovial Fluid
  • Therapeutic Irrigation
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum / isolation & purification*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab
  • Doxycycline