Polyarticular septic arthritis caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Septic arthritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rare and is reported in only 3%of patients. Contrary to lupus arthritis, which tends to be polyarticular in nature, primarily involvingthe small joints of the hands, septic arthritis is commonly monoarticular. Here, we present an unusualcase of a patient with SLE, who developed oligoarticular inflammatory arthritis caused by a rare nativejoint pathogen Staphylococcus lugdunensis. The infection resulted in extensive early damage to thejoints involved, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and treatment.