ABSTRACT
Infective agent is Neisseria gonorrhoea. Mainly affects young adults. Three times more common in women. May be preceded by migratory tendonitis or arthritis. A ‘septic’ rash with a small number of scattered pustules is frequently seen. Usually affects large joints-knee, wrist and ankle. The organism may be isolated from the genital tract in 5080% of cases. Blood cultures may be positive early when the skin lesions are present but is less likely to be positive once the monoarthritis has developed. Synovial fluid positive in 30% of cases. Polymerase chain reaction test may be useful in culture negative suspected cases. Refer to Genito-Urinary Medicine for follow-up and exclude co-existing infection and arrange contact tracing. Treatment with Ciprofloxacin usually responds rapidly.
