Sporotrichosis arthritis: clinical features in seven patients.

A review of the clinical features of seven patients with sporotrichosis arthritis showed that six had joint infection without previous skin or lung involvement and that one with myelofibrosis had joint and skin infection. The average time from onset of joint symptoms to diagnosis was 25 months, resulting in joint damage that required arthrodesis in four patients. Tissue from open synovial biopsy was superior to synovial fluid for obtaining a positive culture; concomitant synovial fluid and synovial tissue cultures were superior to either one alone. Granulomatous inflammation was seen in synovial tissue in six patients biopsied. Amphotericin B with surgical debridement of the affected joint was successful treatment in four patients. Although an uncommon cause of joint disease, sporotrichosis arthritis may go unrecognized and mimic other forms of arthritis, resulting in irreparable damage in an otherwise curable form of arthritis.