Division BJ-JNT: Joint or bursa

Joint or bursa infections must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Patient has organisms cultured from joint fluid or synovial biopsy

• Patient has evidence of joint or bursa infection seen during a surgical operation or histopathologic examination

• Patient has at least two of the following signs or symptoms with no other recognised cause: joint pain, swelling, tenderness, heat, evidence of effusion or limitation of motion

AND at least one of the following:

• organisms and white blood cells seen on Gram’s stain of joint fluid

• positive antigen test on blood, urine, or joint fluid

• cellular profile and chemistries of joint fluid compatible with infection and not explained by an underlying rheumatologic disorder

• radiographic evidence of infection (e.g. abnormal findings on x-ray, CT scan, MRI, radiolabel scan [gallium, technetium, etc.])