AB230. 111. A fishy case of septic arthritis: Salmonella septic arthritis with an associated intramuscular abscess

Background: Salmonella septic arthritis is extremely rare, isolated in approximately one percent of all cases of septic arthritis in the UK. Salmonella is commonly associated with osteomyelitis in immunocompromised patients, including those with systemic illnesses such as sickle cell anaemia and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods: We describe a case of septic arthritis with an associated intramuscular abscess formation in an immunocompetent male.

Results: A 66-year-old retired soldier presented with a 5-day history of worsening knee pain. The patient was otherwise well with no recent history of injury, no recent diarrhoea, and no sick contacts. The patient was found to have septic arthritis with an associated intramuscular vastus intermedius abscess. Incision and drainage of both the knee joint and associated abscess cultured Salmonella enteritidis. Our patient improved gradually post incision and drainage and was discharged on IV ceftriaxone for 6 weeks without complication.

Conclusions: This is the only case-report documenting Salmonella septic arthritis associated with a large intramuscular abscess in an otherwise healthy individual.

Keywords: Immunocompetent; salmonella; septic arthritis; knee; intramuscular abscess