A case of severe septic arthritis and multiple metastases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess

Abstract

A 68-year-old man who had diabetes mellitus, was referred to our hospital because of a one-week history of fever and knee joint pain. Both synovial fluid and blood culture were positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. Computed tomography revealed a liver abscess. We made a diagnosis of K.pneumoniae liver abscess and metastatic septic arthritis of the knee. Although liver abscess and accompanying multiple metastatic lesions in kidney, prostate gland, lung, were successfully treated with antibiotics, the knee joint infection was resistant to antibiotics and arthroscopic drainage. It required open surgery for debridement of synovium and cartilage, and then caused serious joint dysfunction.