A case of Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteremia complicated by reactive arthritis

Abstract

Reactive arthritis has been described infrequently in association with staphylococcal infections, both those secondary to Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. We present a case of a 51-year-old male undergoing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer who presented with joint pain and fevers and was found to have Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteremia. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms were negative for endocarditis. Arthrocentesis from one large joint revealed culture-negative inflammatory synovitis. This case illustrates that a possible systemic manifestation of Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteremia, in addition to the more common endocarditis, can also include reactive arthritis.