Group B streptococcus septic arthritis of the hip following spontaneous abortion

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jan 11:2018:bcr2017223383. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-223383.

Abstract

Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection of the hip in otherwise healthy adults is a rare entity that is previously only reported following peripartum gynaecological procedure and instrumentation. We report a case of infection of the hip with GBS following spontaneous abortion. Delay in identification of infection as the cause of pain ultimately leads to irreversible joint destruction. This case report will heighten the awareness of the first contact providers as well as orthopaedic surgeons to be more vigilant for possible septic complications associated with gynaecological procedures/complications and subsequent painful joints. To our knowledge, this is the only case report showing association of GBS infection in hip associated with spontaneous abortion.

Keywords: abortion; bone and joint infections; orthopaedics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / microbiology*
  • Adult
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Hip Joint / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus agalactiae*