Rapid demonstration of septic or infectious arthritis due to Gram-negative bacteria

Abstract

Blood cultures are positive in approximately only 50 per cent of the patients with nongonococcal bacterial infectious arthritis and about 20 per cent of those with gonococcal arthritis. But the concept that gram-negative bacteria could be involved even in chronic arthritis is well-supported. Gram stains are more definitive in staphylococcal arthritis caused by gram-positive bacteria than in bacterial arthritis due to gram-negative bacteria. In the latter situation where gram-negativebacilliare the problem, Gram stains are helpful for 50% of the patients; they are only helpful for 25% of the patients, however, where gram-negativegonococciare the problem. In arthritis due to gram-positiveStaphylococci. Gramstained smears are positive for 75% of the patients.