A rare case of septic arthritis of the knee caused by Salmonella typhi with preexisting typhoid fever in a healthy, immunocompetent child – A case report

INTRODUCTION: Septic arthritis is a rapid and progressive infection caused by invasion of bacteria into the synovial joint. Disease of the joint causedby Salmonella spp in healthy children is an unusual event, with an estimated incidence of 0.1 to 0.2% of septic arthritis cases among children. The incidence of knee septic arthritis caused by Salmonella typhi with preexisting typhoid fever is very rare. METHOD: We reported a case of 2-years old boy with a history of saddle-type fever 2 weeks prior to right knee pain. Typhoid fever was confirmed by immunoassay test. Knee septic arthritis was established from clinical findings, increased CRP level, ultrasonography, and joint aspiration. Culture of the aspirate subsequently grew Salmonella typhi. This case report had been reported in line with SCARE criteria. RESULT: Arthrotomy and debridement were immediately performed.Intravenous piperacillin tazobactam was given for 6 days and replaced by amoxicillin clavulanic acid after the culture and sensitivity test was available. Patient recovered completely 5 months post surgery and showed excellence result with normal range of knee joint motion. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests that any episode of joint swelling following preexisting typhoid fever should arise the physician’s awareness toward the possibility of septic arthritis and warrant immediate as well as proper management.