A Thorn in a Haystack: A Rare Case of Septic Arthritis

Abstract

Pantoea agglomerans is a facultative anaerobe and environmental bacterium that could be a cause of opportunistic human infections, especially in wound infection with plant material. Arthritis or synovitis secondary to penetrating plant thorn injuries is not frequently reported. We present the case of a 35-year-old otherwise healthy male with a bramble thorn penetrating injury of the left knee. P. agglomerans was isolated from the synovial fluid. The patient was treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate according to sensitivity testing. This case highlights the importance of precise and thorough medical history, especially for less common presentations, as well as source control.

Keywords: foreign body; gram negative; pantoea agglomerans; septic arthritis; thorn injurie.

Figure 1. Increased articular liquid extending to subquadricipital space (sagital view).

Figure 2. Subquadricipital space with septae forming two loci filled with fluid (sagital view).

Figure 3. Distal portion of femur, showing intra-articular fluid (axis view).